Msp nanopores and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are mutant single-chain  Mycobacterium smegmatis  porin (Msp) and uses thereof.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/304,183, filed on Oct. 14, 2016, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 10,781,237,which is a U.S. national stage application under 35 USC § 371 ofPCT/US2015/026239, filed on Apr. 16, 2015, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/980,415, filed Apr. 16, 2014 andU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/980,393, filed Apr. 16, 2014, whichare hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under Grant No.R01HG005115 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The governmenthas certain rights in the invention.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which is beingsubmitted electronically herewith in ASCII format and is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created onJun. 16, 2020, is named UAB_160US2_Seq_List.txt and is 15,509 bytes insize.

BACKGROUND

Identification and characterization of analytes often involve expensiveand time-consuming methodology. For example, current technologiesrequire expensive custom-made reagents and/or detection methods todetermine nucleic acid sequences. Similarly, methods for determiningprotein sequences, for example, peptide fingerprinting by massspectrometry technologies, can be laborious and costly. Therefore,efficient methods of detecting and analyzing nucleic acids, proteins andother analytes are necessary.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding a mutantsingle-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp). The nucleic acidsequence optionally comprises a first and second nucleotide sequence,wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a first Msp monomersequence and the second nucleotide sequence encodes a second Msp monomersequence; and a third nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid linkersequence. In some of the mutant single-chain Msps provided herein, atleast one of the first and second Msp monomer sequences is a mutant Mspmonomer sequence that comprises a mutation at position 97. In othermutant single-chain Msps provided herein, at least one of the first andsecond Msp monomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprisingone or more mutations at any of the following amino acid positions: I68,S73, S116, P123 or V128.

Optionally, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the mutant single-chainMsp comprises a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, andeighth nucleotide sequence or any subset thereof, and the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequencesencode a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, respectively. The nucleic acid sequence furthercomprises a ninth nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid linkersequence which is optionally present at multiple sites (e.g., betweenthe Msp monomer sequences). The first Msp monomer sequence can be amutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises one or more mutations at anyof the following amino acid positions: I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128 or amutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises a mutation at position 97.

Further provided herein is a nucleic acid encoding a mutant Msp monomer.The Msp monomer comprises a mutation at one or more of the followingpositions: I68, S73, P97, S116, P123 or V128.

Further provided are polypeptides comprising the mutant Msps describedherein and polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids described herein.Also provided herein is a system comprising a mutant Msp describedherein, wherein the Msp has a vestibule and a constriction zone thatdefine a tunnel, wherein the tunnel is positioned between a firstconductive liquid medium and a second conductive liquid medium, whereinat least one conductive liquid medium comprises an analyte, and whereinthe system is operative to detect the analyte, when the system issubjected to an electric field sufficient to translocate the analytefrom one conductive liquid medium to the other.

Further provided are methods for detecting the presence of an analyte.The methods include applying an electric field sufficient to translocatean analyte from a first conductive medium to a second conductive mediumin liquid communication through a mutant Msp described herein andmeasuring an ion current, wherein a reduction in the ion currentindicates the presence of the analyte in the first medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an alignment of the MspA, MspB, MspC and MspD monomers ofMycobacterium smegmatis. The numbering of each protein starts with thefirst amino acid of the mature portion of the sequence. The MspA, MspB,MspC and MspD monomer sequences without a signal/leader sequence areprovided as SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4,respectively.

FIG. 2 shows schematic representations of the plasmids used forconstruction of ML712 M. smegmatis. pML1611—mspB is a deletion vector:mspBup, mspBdown—regions homologus upstream and downstream of to mspBchromosomal gene; loxP—recombination site for Cre recombinase,hyg—hygromycin resistance; sacB—levansucrase;xylE—catechol-2,3-dioxygenase; gfp2+—green fluorescent protein;tsPAL5000: temperature-sensitive origin of replication for mycobacteria;ColE1—E. coli origin of replication. pML2622—integrative plasmid forexpression of the N-terminal channel-forming domain (d1) of cpnT. hyg:hygromycin resistance gene; pBR322-Ori: E. coli origin of replication;pNIT1 and pNIT2 are required for nitrile-inducible expression of cpnT,attP: chromosome attachment site of the phage L5; int: L5 integrase;FRT: Flp recombines site.

FIG. 3 is a Southern blot of msp loci in M. smegmatis strains.Chromosomal DNA was isolated from SMR5 (1), ML16 (2), and ML712 (3)M.smegmatis strains. DNA fragments were separated on 1% agarose gel,blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and detected using specificprobes labeled with digoxigenin. The sizes of the DNA fragments thathybridized with the probe were consistent with predicted values.Expected fragment sizes: mspA locus: 1—1500 bp, 2,3—1250 bp; mspB locus:1,2—1140 bp, 3—1850 bp; mspC locus: 1—1200 bp, 2,3—2100 bp; mspD locus:1—1730 bp, 2,3—1090 bp.

FIG. 4 is a Western blot of Msp porin expression in M. smegmatis poringene deletion mutants. Msp porins were extracted with 0.5%octylpolyethyleneoxide and 10 μl were loaded in each lane. Proteins wereseparated on 8% SDS-PAGE and detected by Western blot using a polyclonalantibody against MspA. Lanes: 1, SMR5 (wt; expression of mspA); 2, ML16(triple porin deletion mutant; mspB expression); 3, ML712/pMS2(quadruple porin deletion mutant; empty vector); 4, ML712/pMN016 (+mspAexpression plasmid); 5, ML712/pML904 (+M1 mspA expression plasmid).

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the mycobacterial expressionplasmid pML3213 encoding single-chain M1₈-MspA. The plasmid comprisesthe following: hyg, hygromycin resistance gene; ory myc, a mycobacterialorigin of replication; COLE1 ORI, an E. coli origin of replication;psmyc, constitutive mycobacterial promoter; m1-1, m1-2, etc., m1 mspAgenes with an index number corresponding to position in the single-chaingene construct. Tetrad A is flanked by Pad at the beginning of the firstm1-mspA and by MluI at the end of the fourth m1-mspA; tetrad B isflanked by EcoRV at the beginning of the fifth m1-mspA and by HindII atthe end of the eighth m1-mspA. Individual m1-mspA genes within thetetrads are flanked by KpnI, NsiI, NdeI, PstI, ScaI, NheI. Connecting(GGGGS)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 5) linkers are located between restriction sites,but are not shown.

FIG. 6 is a Western blot showing the analysis of single-chain MspAexpression in M. smegmatis ML714. Msp porins were extracted with 0.5%octylpolyethyleneoxide and 10 μl were loaded in each lane. Proteins wereseparated in 10% SDS-PAGE followed by transfer onto PVDF membrane, andprobed with aMspA monoclonal antibodies. The lanes are marked asfollows: M, protein ladder; 1, expression wt MspA (SMR5); 2, M1₂-MspA;3, M1₄-MspA; 4, M1₈-MspA (single-chain M1-MspA) The amount of MspA wasdetermined by quantitative image analysis.

FIG. 7 shows the thermal stability of single-chain M1₈-MspA.Single-chain M1 MspA porins were extracted with 0.5%n-octylpolyethyleneoxide. 15 μl of the sample were incubated in a buffercontaining 2% SDS for 15 min at temperatures indicated above each lane.Proteins were separated in 8% SDS PAGE followed by transfer onto PVDFmembrane and probed with aMspA polyclonal antibodies. The lanes aremarked as follows: M, protein ladder; RT, room temperature; 40, 50, etc.indicate incubation temperature. Equal amounts of the protein sampleswere loaded onto each lane.

FIG. 8A shows the results of lipid bilayer experiments with M1₈-MspA.Approximately 70 ng of protein were added to the bilayer chamber.Current traces of M₁₋₈-MspA in a diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine lipidbilayer were recorded in 1M KCl at a potential of −10 mV. This resultedin the step-wise increase in the current across the lipid bilayerindicating the insertion of M1₈-MspA channels into the membrane.

FIG. 8B is a histogram of the conductance of M1₈-MspA. 269 pores in fourdifferent membranes were analyzed. Single-chain M₁₋₈-MspA showed apredominant conductance peak at 1.1 nS.

FIG. 9 shows the results of voltage gating experiments. M1₈-MspA wasadded to the cis-side of a diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine membrane.Increasingly positive (upper traces) and negative (lower traces)voltages were applied to the membrane when ˜220 channels werereconstituted into the membrane. The membrane current was recorded ateach applied voltage. The critical voltage at which the channels beganto close (Vc) was determined as the voltage when the conductance of thelipid bilayer decreased after its initial maximal value. The criticalvoltage Vc of M1₈-MspA was +90 mV. The M1₈-MspA channel was stable atall applied negative voltages.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a positive ramp created in a single-chainMsp comprising a first mutant Msp monomer that comprises mutations atpositions D56, I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139 and a seventh mutant Mspmonomer that comprises a mutation at positions L88 and I105.

FIG. 10B shows a top view of a positive ramp created in a single-chainMsp comprising a first mutant Msp monomer that comprises mutations atpositions D56, I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139 and a seventh mutant Mspmonomer that comprises a mutation at positions L88 and I105.

FIG. 10C is a schematic of a single-chain Msp. Numbers under subunits #1and #7 represent locations of the positive ramp.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of plasmid pML3216, for theexpression of single-chain m2-mspA in E. coli. bla, ampicillinresistance gene; pBR322-Ori, E. coli origin of replication; lacI, lacrepressor protein; T7 P, T7 promoter; SD, Shine-Dalgarno sequence; m2-1m2-8, m2 mspA codon.

FIG. 12 shows that scm2-mspA can be produced in E. coli. E. coli Omp8cells were induced with 1.5 mM IPTG at OD600 of 0.5. At different timepoints, cells were collected and lysed. Equal amounts of protein samplewere loaded onto 10% polyacrylamide gel. After electrophoresis, the gelwas stained with Coomassie and scanned for quantification by LabWorkssoftware (Waltham, Mass.). Lanes: M, molecular weight marker with massesindicated on the left (kDa); Un, non-induced cells; 2, 4 and 6 hoursafter induction with IPTG.

FIG. 13 shows a Western blot of scMspA M2 refolding. Samples before andafter refolding were loaded onto 8% polyacrylamide gel followed byovernight transfer onto PVDF membrane. The membrane was stained withMspA-specific rabbit antibodies. Lanes: M, molecular weight marker withmasses indicated on the left (kDa); Un, unfolded sample after anionexchange chromatography; F, folded scMspA M2.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14 B show the channel-forming properties of scMspA M2.FIG. 14A shows a-current trace recording of scMspA M2 in planar lipidbilayer. After addition of refolded scMspA M2 protein as shown in FIG. 3step-wise current increase is observed indicative of channel insertions.FIG. 14B shows a histogram of single-channel conductance distribution. Atotal of 392 channels from 8 membranes were analyzed. The dotted linerepresents a Gaussian fit of the data distribution. The majorconductance of scMspA M2 is 2.3 nS.

FIG. 15 shows voltage-dependent channel closure of scMspA M2. Proteinwas added to the cis-side of the cuvette. After insertion ofapproximately 200 pores, positive or negative voltage was increased in10 mV increments and current was recorded for 2 minutes. A flat linerepresents open pores, whereas a sloping line represents closing of thepores. Critical voltages for scMspA M2 were determined to be about +80mV/−70 mV.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic representation of plasmid pML3222, for theexpression of single-chain scmspA PN1 (scmspA PN1) in E. coli. bla,ampicillin resistance gene; pBR322-Ori, E. coli origin of replication;lacI, lac repressor protein; T7 P, T7 promoter; SD, Shine-Dalgarnosequence; m2-97-1-m2-97-8, codon optimized genes of m2 mspA with a P97Fmutation.

FIG. 17 shows that scmspA PN1 can be produced in E. coli. E. coli Omp8cells were induced with 1.5 mM IPTG at OD600 of 0.5. At 2 hours postinduction cells were collected and lysed. Equal amounts of proteinsample were loaded onto 8% polyacrylamide gel. After electrophoresis,the gel was stained with Coomassie and scanned for quantification byLabWorks software (Waltham, Mass.). Lanes: M, molecular weight markerwith masses indicated on the left (kDa); Un, non-induced cells; 2 hoursafter induction with IPTG.

FIG. 18 shows a Western blot of scMspA PN1 refolding. Samples wereloaded onto 8% polyacrylamide gel followed by staining with Coomassieand scanned for quantification by LabWorks software. Lanes: M, molecularweight marker with masses indicated on the left (kDa); IB, inclusionbodies purified from Omp8 E. coli; AE, sample after anion exchangechromatography; D, sample after dialysis; R, folded scMspA PN1 protein.

FIG. 19 shows that scMspA PN1 is inserted into lipid membranes. DPhPCliposomes were loaded with 30 mM carboxyfluorescein dye. Dye release wasmonitored at 517 nm emission (492 nm excitation) using Varian Caryfluorimeter (Palo Alto, Calif.). Symbols: open squares—Triton X-100(0.1% v/v); closed circles—LDAO (0.1% v/v); open circles—OPOE (0.5%v/v); closed triangles—wtMspA (60 ng/ml); closed squares—scMspA PN1 (60ng/ml), open triangles—scMspA M2 (120 ng/ml). No significant dye releasewas observed when liposomes where only in PBS buffer.

FIG. 20 shows the distribution of pores' reconstitution time intoartificial DPhPC membrane. A cuvette was filled with KCl in theindicated concentrations. Protein samples of 100 ng/ml final were addedto the both sides. −10 mV potential was applied and the data wererecorded with TestPoint software. Each dot represents time of the firstpore insertion. Median insertion time for scMspA PN1 in 1M KCl was 399seconds (9 membranes with 89% successful insertion events analyzed).Median insertion time for scMspA PN1 in 0.3MKCl was 859 seconds (8membranes with 50% successful insertion events analyzed). Medianinsertion time for scMspA M2 in 1M KCl was 695 seconds (10 membraneswith 40% successful insertion events analyzed). In 0.3M KCl scMspA M2had insertion time of 1270 seconds (8 membranes, 12% successfulinsertion). *—P=0.028 as determined by Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test.

FIGS. 21(A-D) show single-channel conductances of scMspA PN1 and scMspAM2 in 1.0M KCl. FIG. 21A shows a current trace recording of scMspA PN1in planar lipid bilayer. After addition of refolded scMspA PN1 protein astep-wise current increase is observed indicative of channel insertions.FIG. 21B shows a histogram of single-channel conductance distribution. Atotal of 137 channels from 4 membranes were analyzed. The dotted linerepresents a Gaussian fit of the data distribution. The majorconductance of scMspA PN1 is 2.0 nS. FIG. 21C shows a current tracerecording of scMspA M2 in planar lipid bilayer. FIG. 21D shows ahistogram of single-channel conductance distribution. A total of 238channels from 6 membranes were analyzed. The dotted line represents aGaussian fit of the data distribution. The major conductance of scMspAM2 is 1.3 nS.

FIG. 22 shows single channel conductance of single-chain MspA PN1 at0.3M KCl and 1.0M KCl and the increase of channel insertions of scMspAPN1 into membranes at 0.3M KCl after it was in contact with membranes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are mutant Mycobacterium smegmatis porins (Msp). Amutant Msp can be a multimer complex comprised of two or more Mspmonomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a mutant Msp monomer.An Msp monomer is encoded by a gene in Mycobacterium smegmatis.Mycobacterium smegmatis has four identified Msp genes, denoted MspA,MspB, MspC, and MspD. An alignment of the wild-type polypeptidesequences for the MspA, MspB, MspC and MspD monomers of Mycobacteriumsmegmatis is shown in FIG. 1. The numbering of each protein starts withthe first amino acid of the mature portion of the sequence, as indicatedby the number “1” above the first amino acid of the mature amino acidsequence. The amino acid sequences for a MspA, MspB, MspC and a MspDmonomer without a signal sequence, i.e., the mature portion of thesequence, are provided as SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 andSEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. The amino acid sequences for a MspA, MspB,MspC and a MspD monomer with a signal/leader sequence are provided asSEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 9, respectively.

Further, sequences of wild-type Msp monomers that can be modified aredisclosed in GenBank, and these sequences and others are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties as are individualsubsequences or fragments contained therein. For example, the nucleotideand amino acid sequences of a wild-type MspA monomer can be found atGenBank Accession Nos. AJ001442 and CAB56052, respectively. Thenucleotide and amino acid sequences of a wild-type MspB monomer can befound, for example, at GenBank Accession Nos. NC 008596.1 (fromnucleotide 600086 to 600730) and YP 884932.1, respectively. Thenucleotide and amino acid sequences of a wild-type MspC monomer can befound, for example, at GenBank Accession Nos. AJ299735 and CAC82509,respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of a wild-typeMspD monomer can be found, for example, at GenBank Accession Nos.AJ300774 and CAC83628, respectively.

A mutant Msp monomer can be a full-length monomer or a functionalfragment thereof encoded by a MspA, MspB, MspC or MspD-encoding nucleicacid, for example, an mRNA or a genomic sequence encoding MspA, MspB,MspC or MspD, wherein the monomer comprises one or more modifications.

Optionally, a mutant Msp is a mutant single-chain Msp or is a multimerof several single-chain Msps, wherein the multimer comprises at leastone mutant single-chain Msp. A mutant Msp can also be a multimer ofseveral Msp monomers wherein at least one Msp monomer is a mutant Mspmonomer.

A single-chain Msp can, for example, comprise a multimer formed by twoor more Msp monomers (e.g., eight monomers) connected by one or moreamino acid linker peptides. A partial single-chain Msp refers to asingle-chain multimer complex that dimerizes, trimerizes, or the like toform a porin. A full single-chain Msp porin refers to a single-chainmultimer complex that forms a porin without the need to dimerize,trimerize or the like to form a porin. Stated differently, thesingle-chain folds to form a porin, but all components are in one aminoacid chain, as compared to a porin that must associate with otherpartial single-chain Msp(s) or monomeric Msp monomers to form a porin.

Mutant Single-Chain Msps and the Nucleic Acids Encoding them

Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding mutant single-chainMsps. For example, the nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp comprises: (a) a first and second nucleotide sequence,wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a first Msp monomersequence and the second nucleotide sequence encodes a second Msp monomersequence; and (b) a third nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acidlinker sequence, wherein at least one of the first and second Mspmonomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence has a mutation atposition P97. Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer sequence can comprise amutation at P97, wherein the mutation is not a P97S mutation or a P97Cmutation. Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer sequence can comprise aP97F mutation. As shown in the Examples, additional hydrophobicresidues, for example, phenylalanine, located in loop 6 of scMspA (aminoacids 91-103) promote faster and more efficient insertion of the poresinto lipid bilayers. For a description of loop 6 of MspA and residuescontained therein, see Huffe et al., J. Biol. Chem. 284: 10223-10231(2009), which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference.Therefore, provided herein is a single chain Msp comprising one or morehydrophobic substitutions in loop 6 (amino acids 91-103) of Msp.

For example, provided herein is a nucleic acid sequence encoding amutant single-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp), wherein thenucleic acid sequence comprises (a) a first and second nucleotidesequence, wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a first Mspmonomer sequence and the second nucleotide sequence encodes a second Mspmonomer sequence and (b) a third nucleotide sequence encoding an aminoacid linker sequence, wherein at least one of the first and second Mspmonomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising one ormore mutations at any of amino acid positions D91, G92, D93, I94, T95,A96, P97, P98, F99, G100, L101, N102 or S103, wherein one or more ofD91, G92, D93, I94, T95, A96, P97, P98, F99, G100, L101, N102 or S103 issubstituted with a hydrophobic amino acid. For example, hydrophobicamino acids can be selected from the group consisting of alanine,valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine,tyrosine, tryptophan, proline and glycine. By way of example, and not tobe limiting, a mutant Msp monomer sequence can comprise (i) a D90N, aD91N and a D93N mutation; and one or more of (ii) a G92F, T95F, A96F,P97F, P98F, G100F, L101F, N102F or S103F mutation. As set forth above,substitutions at position G92, T95, A96, P97, P98, G100, L101, N102 orS103 are not limited to phenylalanine, as one or more of these aminoacids can be replaced with another hydrophobic residue, for example,alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, methionine, tyrosine,tryptophan, proline and glycine. One or more of G92, T95, A96, P97, P98,G100, L101, N102 or S103 can be substituted with the same hydrophobicamino acid or different hydrophobic amino acids.

As used throughout, a mutation at a specific amino acid is indicated bythe single letter code for the amino acid at a position, followed by thenumber of the amino acid position in an Msp polypeptide sequence (forexample, an amino acid position in SEQ ID NO: 1), and the single lettercode for the amino acid substitution at this position. Therefore, it isunderstood that a P97 mutation is a proline to phenylalaninesubstitution at amino acid 97 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Similarly, a D90Nmutation is an aspartic acid to arginine substitution at amino acid 90of SEQ ID NO: 1, a D91N mutation is an aspartic to arginine substitutionat amino acid 91 of SEQ ID NO: 1, etc. It is also understood that aminoacids corresponding to positions in SEQ ID NO: 1 are also providedherein (See FIG. 1). For example, and not to be limiting, one of skillin the art would understand that, the corresponding amino acid for E139of SEQ ID NO: 1 in MspB (SEQ ID NO:2), MspC (SEQ ID NO: 3) and MspD (SEQID NO: 4) is A139, A139 and K138, respectively.

Optionally, any mutant Msp monomer sequence described herein can furthercomprise a mutation at amino acid position D118, a mutation at positionD134 or a mutation at position E139. Optionally, a mutation at positionE139 can be an E to R (arginine) or an E to K (lysine) substitution.Optionally, a mutation at position D118 can be a D to R substitution ora D to K substitution. Optionally, a mutation at position D134 can be aD to R substitution or a D to K substitution. For example, any mutantMsp monomer sequence described herein can comprise one or more mutationsselected from the group consisting of: a D118R mutation, a D134Rmutation and a E139K mutation. Optionally, any mutant Msp monomersequence described herein can further comprise at least one of (i) amutation at position 93 and (ii) a mutation at position D90, positionD91 or both positions D90 and D91. Optionally, the amino acid atposition 90, 91 or 93 is substituted with arginine, lysine, histidine,glutamine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan.Optionally, any mutant Msp monomer sequence described herein can furthercomprise a D90N, a D91N and a D93N mutation.

For example, a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising a mutation atposition 97 can further comprise (i) a mutation at amino acid positionD118, D134 and/or E139 (ii) a mutation at position D93, and/or (iii) amutation at position D90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91.For example, a mutant MspA monomer sequence can comprise a D90Nmutation, a D91N mutation, a D93N mutation, a P97F mutation, a D118Rmutation, a D134R mutation and a E139K mutation. The mutant MspA monomersequence can also comprise a D90N mutation, a D91N mutation, a D93Nmutation, a P97F mutation, a D118R mutation, a D134R mutation and aE139K mutation.

Also provided herein is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp which comprises (a) a first and second nucleotidesequence, wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a first Mspmonomer sequence and the second nucleotide sequence encodes a second Mspmonomer sequence, and (b) a third nucleotide sequence encoding an aminoacid linker sequence, wherein at least one of the first and second Mspmonomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising one ormore mutations at any of the following amino acid positions: I68, S73,S116, P123 or V128. Provided herein is a nucleic acid encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the mutant Msp monomer sequence comprises oneor more mutations at any of I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128, wherein themutation is not a I68V mutation or a S73C mutation.

Provided herein is a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising one or moremutations at I68, S73, S116, P123 and/or V128 further comprising (i) amutation at amino acid position D118, (ii) a mutation at position D93,and/or (iii) a mutation at position D90, position D91 or both positionsD90 and D91. For example, a mutant MspA monomer sequence can compriseone or more mutations at amino acid positions I68, S73, S116, P123 orV128, a mutation at D93, a mutation at D118, a mutation at D134 and amutation at E139 or any subset thereof. In another example, a mutantMspA monomer sequence can comprise one or more mutations at amino acidpositions I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128, a mutation at amino acidposition D118, a mutation at D134, a D90N mutation and/or a D91Nmutation. In yet another example, a mutant MspA monomer sequence cancomprise one or more mutations at amino acid positions I68, S73, S116,P123 or V128, a mutation at amino acid position D118, a mutation at D134and a mutation at E139, a D90N mutation, a D91N mutation and a D93Nmutation. Provided herein is a nucleic acid encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the mutant Msp monomer sequence comprises oneor more mutations at any of I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128, wherein themutation is not a I68V mutation or a S73C mutation. In any of the mutantsingle-chain Msps provided herein, the mutant Msp monomer sequence cancomprise one or more mutations at any of I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128,wherein the mutation is not a I68V mutation or a S73C mutation.

Optionally, any of the mutant Msp monomer sequences described herein canfurther comprise one or more mutations at any of the following aminoacid positions: D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172.Optionally, one or more of D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 orD172 in a mutant Msp monomer sequence provided herein can be substitutedwith lysine or arginine. Optionally, any mutant Msp monomer sequencedescribed herein comprising one or more mutations at D13, A55, D56, E57,F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172 can further comprise one or more mutationsat the following positions: D118, D134 or E139. Optionally, any mutantMsp monomer sequence described herein comprising one or more mutationsat D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172 can further comprisea mutation at position 93, and/or a mutation at position 90, position 91or both positions 90 and 91.

Therefore, provided herein is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Mycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp), wherein the nucleicacid sequence comprises (a) a first and second nucleotide sequence,wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a first Msp monomersequence and the second nucleotide sequence encodes a second Msp monomersequence, and (b) a third nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acidlinker sequence, wherein at least one of the first and second Mspmonomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising one ormore mutations at any of the following amino acid positions: D13, A55,D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172. Optionally, the third nucleotidesequence encoding the linker is located between the first and secondnucleotide sequence.

Also provided is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutant single-chainMycobacterium smegmatis porin (Msp), wherein the nucleic acid sequencecomprises: (a) a first and second nucleotide sequence, wherein the firstnucleotide sequence encodes a first Msp monomer sequence and the secondnucleotide sequence encodes a second Msp monomer sequence, and (b) athird nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid linker sequence,wherein at least one of the first and second Msp monomer sequences is amutant Msp monomer sequence comprising (i) a mutation at position 93,and/or (ii) a mutation at position 90, position 91 or both positions 90and 91 and (iii) one or more mutations at any of the following aminoacid positions: D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172.

Further provided is a nucleic acid encoding a mutant Msp monomer,wherein the Msp monomer comprises a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172.Optionally, a mutant Msp monomer sequence comprising one or moremutations at D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172 canfurther comprise a mutation at position 93 and/or a mutation at position90, position 91 or both positions 90 and 91. Optionally, a mutant Mspmonomer sequence comprising one or more mutations at positions D13, A55,D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, G137 or D172 can further comprise a D90N, aD91N and a D93N mutation.

In the mutant single-chain mutant Msps provided herein, the firstmonomer sequence can be any mutant monomer sequence described herein.For example, the mutant monomer sequence can be a mutant MspA sequence.The second monomer can be selected from the group consisting of awildtype Msp monomer, a second mutant Msp monomer, a wild-type Mspparalog or homolog monomer, and a mutant Msp paralog or homolog monomer.It is understood that the second mutant Msp monomer can be the same ordifferent than the first mutant Msp monomer. These include, but are notlimited to, MspA/Msmeg0965, MspB/Msmeg0520, MspC/Msmeg5483,MspD/Msmeg6057, MppA, PorM1, PorM2, PorM1, Mmcs4296, Mmcs4297, Mmcs3857,Mmcs4382, Mmcs4383, Mjls3843, Mjls3857, Mjls3931 Mjls4674, Mjls4675,Mjls4677, Map3123c, Mav3943, Mvan1836, Mvan4117, Mvan4839, Mvan4840,Mvan5016, Mvan5017, Mvan5768, MUL_2391, Mflv1734, Mflv1735, Mflv2295,Mflv1891, MCH4691c, MCH4689c, MCH4690c, MAB1080, MAB1081, MAB2800, RHA1ro08561, RHA1 ro04074, and RHA1 ro03127. A wild-type MspA paralog orhomolog monomer may be a wild-type MspB monomer. Wild-type MspA paralogand homolog monomers are well-known in the art. Table 1 provides anon-limiting list of such paralogs and homologs.

TABLE 1 Wild-type MspA and Wild-type MspA paralogs and homolog monomersIdentity/ Similarity to MspA Length Protein# Organism (%) (aa) ReferenceMspA/Msmeg0965 M. smegmatis 100/100 211 gb|ABK74363.1|, (Stahl et al.,2001)* MspB/Msmeg0520 M. smegmatis 94/95 215 gb|ABK73437.1|, (Stahl etal., 2001)* MspC/Msmeg5483 M. smegmatis 93/95 215 gb|ABK74976.1|, (Stahlet al., 2001)* MspD/Msmeg6057 M. smegmatis 82/89 207 gb|ABK72453.1|,(Stahl et al., 2001)* MppA M. phlei 100/100 211 AJ812030, (Dorner etal., 2004)** PorM1 M. fortuitum 95/96 211 emb|CAI54228.1| PorM2 M.fortuitum 91/93 215 emb|CAL29811.1| PorM1 M. peregrinum 94/96 211emb|CAI54230.1| Mmcs4296 Mycobacterium sp. MCS 85/91 216 gb|ABG10401.1|Mmcs4297 Mycobacterium sp. MCS 85/91 216 gb|ABG10402.1| Mmcs3857Mycobacterium sp. MCS 30/44 235 gb|ABG09962.1| Mmcs4382 Mycobacteriumsp. MCS 85/91 216 gb|ABL93573.1| Mmcs4383 Mycobacterium sp. MCS 85/91216 gb|ABL93574.1| Mjls3843 Mycobacterium sp. JLS 26/40 235gb|ABN99619.1| Mjls3857 Mycobacterium sp. JLS 26/40 235 gb|ABG09962.1|Mjls3931 Mycobacterium sp. JLS 26/40 235 gb|ABL93123.1| Mjls4674Mycobacterium sp. JLS 85/89 216 gb|ABO00440.1| Mjls4675 Mycobacteriumsp. JLS 83/89 216 gb|ABO00441.1| Mjls4677 Mycobacterium sp. JLS 84/89216 gb|ABO00443.1| Map3123c M. avium 24/39 220 gb|AAS05671.1|paratuberculosis Mav3943 M. avium 24/39 227 gb|ABK66660.1| Mvan1836 M.vanbaalenii PYR-1 82/88 209 gb|ABM12657.1| Mvan4117 M. vanbaalenii PYR-132/43 239 gb|ABM14894.1| Mvan4839 M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 83/88 209gb|ABM15612.1| Mvan4840 M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 83/89 209 gb|ABM15613.1|Mvan5016 M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 30/41 238 gb|ABM15788.1| Mvan5017 M.vanbaalenii PYR-1 25/35 227 gb|ABM15789.1| Mvan5768 M. vanbaalenii PYR-121/32 216 gb|ABM16533.1| MUL_2391 M. ulcerans Agy99 21/34 233gb|ABL04749.1| Mflv1734 M. gilvum PYR-GCK 21/32 225 gb|ABP44214.1|Mflv1735 M. gilvum PYR-GCK 32/41 226 gb|ABP44215.1| Mflv2295 M. gilvumPYR-GCK 25/40 250 gb|ABP44773.1| Mflv1891 M. gilvum PYR-GCK 84/90 217gb|ABP44371.1| MCH4691c M. chelonae 70/80 223 gb|ACV04474.1| MCH4689c M.chelonae 66/78 223 gb|ACV04472.1| MCH4690c M. chelonae 72/81 217gb|ACV04473.1| MAB1080 M. abscessus 69/79 223 emb|CAM61170.1| MAB1081 M.abscessus 68/78 222 emb|CAM61171.1| MAB2800 M. abscessus 27/44 246emb|CAM62879.1| RHA1 ro08561 Rhodococcus jostii 34/51 233 gb|ABG99605.1|RHA1 n.d. Rhodococcus opacus B4 34/51 233 gbj|BAH52196.1| RHA1 ro04074Rhodococcus sp. RHA1 34/50 233 gb|ABG95871.1| RHA1 ro03127 Rhodococcussp. RHA1 34/50 233 gb|ABG94930.1| n.d. Rhodococcus 35/50 229gbj|BAH30938.1| erythropolis PR4 Only proteins with significant aminoacid similarities over the full length of the protein were included.Data were obtained by PSI-Blast algorithm (BLOSUM62 matrix) using theNIH GenBank database on the world wide web atncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast/Blast.cgi. n.d.: “not determined” *Stahl et al.,Mol. Microbial. 40:451 (2001) **Domer et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta.1667:47-55 (2004)

As used herein, a mutant single-chain Msp is a polypeptide comprising atleast two Msp monomers, or functional fragments thereof, connected byone or more amino acid linker peptides wherein at least one of the Mspmonomers is a mutant Msp monomer. For example, the mutant single-chainMsp can comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,eleven, twelve, or more Msp monomers connected by one or more amino acidlinker peptides, wherein at least one of the Msp monomers is a mutantMsp monomer. As set forth above, a single-chain mutant Msp can form aporin, for example, by folding, without the need to dimerize, trimerizeor the like to form a porin. Alternatively, a mutant single-chain Mspcan be a partial single-chain mutant Msp comprising at least two Mspmonomers or fragments thereof connected by one or more amino acid linkedpeptides, that can dimerize, trimerize or the like to form a porin.

Optionally, a Msp porin comprising a mutant single-chain Msp can, forexample, comprise two or more single-chain Msp porin dimers, two or moresingle-chain Msp porin trimers, two or more single-chain Msp porinquadrimers, two or more single-chain Msp porin pentamers, one or moresingle-chain Msp porin hexamers, one or more single-chain Msp porinseptamers, one or more single-chain Msp porin octamers, or combinationsthereof. For example, a Msp porin can comprise a single-chain Msp porindimer and two single-chain Msp porin trimers. By way of another example,a Msp porin can comprise a single-chain Msp porin quadrimer and twosingle-chain Msp porin dimers.

Amino acid linker sequences are described herein. In any single-chainMsp described herein, a linker sequence can, for example, comprise 10 to20 amino acids. For example, an amino acid linker sequence comprises 15amino acids. Optionally, the amino acid linker sequence comprises a(GGGGS)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 5) peptide sequence. The same or different nucleicacid encoding linker sequence can be provided between nucleic acidsequences encoding more than two Msp monomers. Optionally, a linkersequence can be provided between all or some of the nucleic acidsequences encoding Msp monomers in the single chain Msps providedherein.

Further provided is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the nucleic acid sequence comprises (a) afirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthnucleotide sequence or any subset thereof, wherein the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequencesencode a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, respectively; and (b) a ninth nucleotide sequenceencoding an amino acid linker sequence, wherein the first Msp monomersequence is a mutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises a mutation atposition P97.

The mutant Msp monomer sequence can comprise a mutation at P97, whereinthe mutation is not a P97S mutation or a P97C mutation. The mutant Mspmonomer sequence can comprise a P97F mutation. As set forth above, anymutant Msp monomer sequence described herein can further comprise amutation at amino acid position D118, a mutation at position D134 or amutation at position E139. For example, any mutant Msp monomer sequencedescribed herein can comprise a D118R mutation, a D134R mutation and/ora E139K mutation. Any mutant Msp monomer sequence described herein canfurther comprise (i) a mutation at position 93 and/or (ii) a mutation atposition D90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91. Optionally,the amino acid at position 90, 91 or 93 is substituted with arginine,lysine, histidine, glutamine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine,tyrosine or tryptophan. Any mutant Msp monomer sequence described hereincan further comprise a D90N, a D91N and a D93N mutation. For example,provided herein is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the nucleic acid sequence comprises (a) afirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthnucleotide sequence or any subset thereof, wherein the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequencesencode a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, respectively; and (b) a ninth nucleotide sequenceencoding an amino acid linker sequence, wherein the first Msp monomersequence is a mutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises a mutation atposition P97 can further comprise (i) a mutation at amino acid positionD118, D134 and/or E139 (ii) a mutation at position D93, and/or (iii) amutation at position D90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91.For example, the first Msp monomer sequence can be a mutant Msp monomersequence that comprises a D90N mutation, a D91N mutation, a D93Nmutation, a P97F mutation, a D118R mutation, a D134R mutation and aE139K mutation.

Further provided is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the nucleic acid sequence comprises (a) afirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthnucleotide sequence or any subset thereof, wherein the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequencesencode a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, respectively, and (b) a ninth nucleotide sequenceencoding an amino acid linker sequence, wherein the first Msp monomersequence is a mutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises one or moremutations at any of the following amino acid positions: I68, S73, S116,P123 or V128.

The first Msp monomer sequence can also be a mutant Msp monomer sequencethat comprises one or more mutations at any of the following amino acidpositions: I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128 and further comprises a mutationat amino acid position D118, optionally with (i) a mutation at position93, and/or (ii) a mutation at position D90, position D91 or bothpositions D90 and D91. In any of the mutant Msp monomer sequencesdescribed herein, the amino acid at position 91 or the amino acid atposition 90 can be substituted with arginine, lysine, histidine,glutamine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan.The mutant Msp monomer sequence can further comprise a D90N, a D91N anda D93N mutation. The mutant Msp monomer comprising one or more mutationsat amino acids I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128 can further comprise amutation in one or more of the amino acids at positions D13, A55, D56,E57, F58, E63, S136, D134, G137, E139 or D172. In the mutant Msp monomersequences described herein, D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, D134,G137, E139 or D172 can be substituted with lysine or arginine.Therefore, a mutant Msp monomer comprising one or more mutations atamino acids I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128, for example, can furthercomprise (i) a mutation at amino acid position D118, (ii) a mutation atposition D93, (iii) a mutation at position D90, position D91 or bothpositions D90 and D91, (iv) a D90N, a D91N and a D93N mutation and/or(v) a mutation in one or more of the amino acids at positions D13, A55,D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, D134, G137, E139 or D172.

For example, and not to be limiting, a first mutant Msp monomer can be amutant Msp monomer comprising a mutation at positions D56, I68, S73,D118, D134 and E139. Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer can furthercomprise a D90N, a D91N and D93N mutation. Optionally, one or more ofthe amino acids selected from the group consisting of D56, I68, S73,D118, D134 and E139 can be substituted with lysine or arginine.

Further provided is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutantsingle-chain Msp, wherein the nucleic acid sequence comprises: (a) afirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthnucleotide sequence or any subset thereof, wherein the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequencesencode a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, respectively; and (b) a ninth nucleotide sequenceencoding an amino acid linker sequence, wherein the first Msp monomersequence is a mutant Msp monomer sequence that comprises one or moremutations at any of the following amino acid positions: I68, S73, S116,P123 or V128; and wherein one or more of the first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequence encodes amutant Msp monomer sequence comprising a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. Forexample, and not to be limiting, the seventh nucleotide can encode amutant Msp monomer sequence comprising a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96.

It is understood that the first nucleotide sequence and the seventhnucleotide sequence can be arranged, but are not necessarily arranged asthe first nucleotide sequence and the seventh nucleotide sequence in thenucleic acid sequence that comprises a first, second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth nucleotide sequence in that order. Inthis context, the first nucleotide sequence is a nucleotide sequenceencoding the first or starting monomer of a single-chain Msp, and can bethe first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighthnucleotide sequence of the single-chain Msp. The starting nucleotidesequence is referred to as the first nucleotide sequence no matter whereit occurs in the single-chain Msp. For example, if the starting subunitof the single-chain Msp is the first Msp monomer (first nucleotidesequence), then the seventh Msp monomer (seventh nucleotide sequence)comprises a mutation at one or more of the following positions: T83,N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. In another example, if thestarting subunit of the single-chain Msp is the second Msp monomer(first nucleotide sequence), then the eighth Msp monomer (seventhnucleotide sequence) comprises a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. Inanother example, if the starting subunit of the single-chain Msp is thethird Msp monomer (first nucleotide sequence), then the first Mspmonomer (seventh nucleotide sequence) comprises a mutation at one ormore of the following positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93or A96. In another example, if the starting subunit of the single-chainMsp is the fourth Msp monomer (first nucleotide sequence), then thesecond Msp monomer (seventh nucleotide sequence) comprises a mutation atone or more of the following positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91,G92, D93 or A96. In another example, if the starting subunit of thesingle-chain Msp is the fifth Msp monomer (first nucleotide sequence),then the third Msp monomer (seventh nucleotide sequence) comprises amutation at one or more of the following positions: T83, N86, L88, I105,D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. In another example, if the starting subunitof the single-chain Msp is the sixth Msp monomer (first nucleotidesequence), then the fourth Msp monomer (seventh nucleotide sequence)comprises a mutation at one or more of the following positions: T83,N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. In another example, if thestarting subunit of the single-chain Msp is the seventh Msp monomer(first nucleotide sequence), then the fifth Msp monomer (seventhnucleotide sequence) comprises a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. Inanother example, if the starting subunit of the single-chain Msp is theeighth Msp monomer (first nucleotide sequence), then the sixth Mspmonomer (seventh nucleotide sequence) comprises a mutation at one ormore of the following positions: T83, N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93or A96.

For example, and not to be limiting, the first Msp monomer can be amutant Msp monomer that comprises a mutation at positions D56, I68, S73,D118, D134 and E139 and the seventh monomer can be a mutant Msp monomerthat comprises a mutation at positions L88 and I105. Optionally, each ofthe amino acid positions at positions D56, I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139of the first mutant Msp monomer can be substituted with lysine orarginine. Optionally, each of the amino acid positions at positions D56,I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139 of the first mutant Msp monomer can besubstituted with phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine or tyrosine.Optionally, each of the amino acid positions at positions L88 and I105of the seventh mutant Msp monomer can be substituted with lysine orarginine. Optionally, each of the amino acid positions at positions L88and I105 of the seventh mutant Msp monomer can be substituted withphenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine or tyrosine. Substitution of D56,I68, S73, D118, D134, E139, L88 and/or I105 with aromatic amino acids,such as, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine or tyrosine can promotep-stacking interactions with an analyte, for example, nucleotides, todecrease translocation velocity. Optionally, the first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth Msp monomer sequence, or asubset thereof can comprise a D90N, a D91N and a D93N mutation.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a non-limiting example of a positive ramp createdin a single-chain Msp comprising a first mutant Msp monomer thatcomprises a mutation at positions D56, I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139 anda seventh mutant Msp monomer that comprises a mutation at positions L88and I105. This positively charged ramp inside the vestibule of the MspAguides single-stranded nucleic acids, for example DNA, through the Msp.The electrostatic interactions between the nucleic acid and the rampenable controlled translocation of DNA through the pore. This reducesBrownian motion of the nucleic acid and the translocation rate. Thisalso increases the precision and the interaction between the nucleicacid bases and the amino acids in the constriction zone. FIG. 10C is aschematic of a single-chain Msp. Numbers under subunits #1 and #7represent locations of the positive ramp.

In any of the mutant single-chain Msps set forth herein, theconstriction zone can be modified to increase the nucleobase, protein oranalyte recognition properties of MspA. Modifications to theconstriction zone can create a reading head that increases, for example,base-specific interactions. A reading head can be created by introducingan amino acid with a longer side chain that protrudes into the path ofDNA or another analyte. For example, and not to be limiting, in order tocreate one or more reading heads, the amino acid at position 90 and/or91 in any of the mutant Msp monomers of the single-chain Msps describedherein can be substituted with arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamine,methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan or anunnatural amino acid. Positioning heads can also be created to increasethe efficiency of one or more reading heads. For example, amino acidswith longer side chains, preferably hydrophobic or negatively charged,can be introduced, opposite to the reading head, in order to reduceescape motions of DNA or another analyte in the constriction zone. Aminoacids that are suitable, include but are not limited to, aspartate,glutamate, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine,tryptophan and unnatural amino acids. In order to further slow downtranslocation rates, a stacking slide can be created by mutating one ormore of the amino acids at positions 83, 86, 88 and 105. For example,and not to be limiting, one or more of the amino acids at positions 83,86, 88 and 105 can be substituted with tryptophan, tyrosine orphenylalanine. Optionally, the stacking slide is positioned such that itis located in proximity to a positive ramp.

One or more of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, andeighth Msp monomer sequence or any subset thereof, can be independentlyselected from the group consisting of a wildtype MspA monomer, a mutantMspA monomer, a wild-type MspA paralog or homolog monomer, and a mutantMspA paralog or homolog monomer. It is understood that, when the second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and/or eight Msp monomer sequenceis a mutant MspA monomer sequence, the mutant MspA monomer sequence canbe the same or different than the first mutant MspA monomer sequence.Optionally, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthMsp monomer sequence, or any subset thereof, is a wild-type MspA paralogor homolog monomer. These include, but are not limited to,MspA/Msmeg0965, MspB/Msmeg0520, MspC/Msmeg5483, MspD/Msmeg6057, MppA,PorM1, PorM2, PorM1, Mmcs4296, Mmcs4297, Mmcs3857, Mmcs4382, Mmcs4383,Mjls3843, Mjls3857, Mjls3931 Mjls4674, Mjls4675, Mjls4677, Map3123c,Mav3943, Mvan1836, Mvan4117, Mvan4839, Mvan4840, Mvan5016, Mvan5017,Mvan5768, MUL_2391, Mflv1734, Mflv1735, Mflv2295, Mflv1891, MCH4691c,MCH4689c, MCH4690c, MAB1080, MAB1081, MAB2800, RHA1 ro08561, RHA1ro04074, and RHA1 ro03127. A wild-type MspA paralog or homolog monomermay be a wild-type MspB monomer.

Mutant Msp Monomers and the Nucleic Acids Encoding them

Further provided is a nucleic acid encoding a mutant Msp monomer,wherein the Msp monomer comprises a mutation at position 97. Optionally,the mutant Msp monomer can comprise a mutation at P97, wherein themutation is not a P97S mutation or a P97C mutation. Optionally, themutant Msp monomer can comprise a P97F mutation. Optionally the mutantMsp monomer can further comprise a mutation at amino acid position D118,a mutation at position D134 or a mutation at position E139. For example,the mutant Msp monomer comprising a mutation at position 97 can furthercomprise a D118R mutation, a D134R mutation and/or a E139K mutation.Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer comprising a mutation at position 97can further comprise (i) a mutation at position 93 and/or (ii) amutation at position D90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91.Optionally, the amino acid at position 90 or 91 is substituted witharginine, lysine, histidine, glutamine, methionine, threonine,phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan. Optionally, the mutant Mspmonomer can further comprise a D90N, a D91N and a D93N mutation. Forexample, and not to be limiting, a mutant MspA monomer sequence cancomprise a D90N mutation, a D91N mutation, a D93N mutation, a P97Fmutation, a D118R mutation, a D134R mutation and a E139K mutation.

Further provided is a nucleic acid encoding a mutant Msp monomer,wherein the Msp monomer comprises a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128. Optionally, themutant monomer further comprises a mutation at amino acid position D118.Optionally, the Msp monomer further comprises a mutation at positionD90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91. Optionally, the aminoacid at position 91 or the amino acid at position 90 can be substitutedwith arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamine, methionine, threonine,phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan. Optionally, the mutant Mspmonomer sequence can further comprise a D90N, a D91N and a D93Nmutation. Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer sequence can furthercomprise a mutation in one or more of the amino acids at positions D13,A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, D134, G137, E139 or D172. Optionally, oneor more of D13, A55, D56, E57, F58, E63, S136, D134, G137, E139 or D172can be substituted with lysine or arginine.

Further provided is a nucleic acid encoding a mutant Msp monomer,wherein the Msp monomer comprises a mutation at one or more of thefollowing positions: T83, N86, G92 or A96. Optionally, the mutant Mspmonomer sequence further comprises a mutation at position L88 or I105.Optionally, the mutant monomer further comprises a mutation at aminoacid positions D118. Optionally, the Msp monomer further comprises amutation at position D90, position D91 or both positions D90 and D91.Optionally, the amino acid at position 91 or the amino acid at position90 can be substituted with arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamine,methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan.Optionally, the mutant Msp monomer sequence can further comprise a D90N,a D91N and a D93N mutation.

As used herein, a mutant Msp monomer refers to an Msp monomer that hasat least or at most 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 99 percent or moreidentity, or any range derivable therein, but less than 100% identity,as compared to a wild-type Msp monomer, and retains tunnel-formingcapability when associated with one or more other Msp monomers(wild-type or mutant). Therefore, in addition to the mutations describedherein, any mutant Msp provided herein can further comprise additionalmodifications such as substitutions, insertions, deletions, and/oradditions, as long as the mutant Msp monomer has at least or at most 70,75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 98, or 99 percent or more identity, or any rangederivable therein, but less than 100%, to a wild-type Msp monomer, andretains tunnel-forming capability when associated with one or more otherMsp monomers.

Any mutant Msp described herein can comprise 2-15 Msp monomers that arethe same or different, wherein at least one of the Msp monomers is amutant Msp monomer. Optionally, a mutant Msp comprises 7-9 Msp monomersthat are the same or different. Optionally, at least a second monomer isselected from the group consisting of a wildtype Msp monomer, a secondmutant Msp monomer, a wild-type Msp paralog or homolog monomer, and amutant Msp paralog or homolog monomer, wherein the second mutant Mspmonomer may be the same or different than the first mutant Msp monomer.For example, any mutant Msp described herein can comprise 2-15 Mspmonomers wherein at least one of the Msp monomers is a mutant MspAmonomer. Optionally, at least a second monomer is selected from thegroup consisting of a wildtype MspA monomer, a second mutant MspAmonomer, a wild-type MspA paralog or homolog monomer, and a mutant MspAparalog or homolog monomer, wherein the second mutant MspA monomer canbe the same or different than the first mutant MspA monomer. Optionally,the second monomer is a wild-type MspA paralog or homolog monomer.

For example, a mutant Msp can comprise one or more Msp monomerscomprising a mutation at position 97. In another example, a mutant Mspcan comprise one or more Msp monomers comprising a mutation at one ormore of I68, S73, S116, P123 or V128 and one or more Msp monomerscomprising a mutation at one or more of the following positions: T83,N86, L88, I105, D90, D91, G92, D93 or A96. In another example, a mutantMsp can comprise one or more Msp monomers with mutations at positionsD56, I68, S73, D118, D134 and E139 and one or more Msp monomers withmutations at positions L88 and I105.

Modifications in amino acid sequence may arise as allelic variations(e.g., due to genetic polymorphism), may arise due to environmentalinfluence (e.g., due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation), or otherhuman intervention (e.g., by mutagenesis of cloned DNA sequences), suchas induced point, deletion, insertion, and substitution mutants. Thesemodifications can result in changes in the amino acid sequence, providesilent mutations, modify a restriction site, or provide other specificmutations. Amino acid sequence modifications typically fall into one ormore of three classes: substitutional, insertional, or deletionalmodifications. Insertions include amino and/or terminal fusions as wellas intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues.Insertions ordinarily will be smaller insertions than those of amino orcarboxyl terminal fusions, for example, on the order of one to fourresidues. Deletions are characterized by the removal of one or moreamino acid residues from the protein sequence. Typically, no more thanabout from 2 to about 6 residues are deleted at any one site within theprotein molecule. Amino acid substitutions are typically of singleresidues, but can occur at a number of different locations at once;insertions usually will be on the order of about from 1 to about 10amino acid residues; and deletions will range from about 1 to about 30residues. Deletions or insertions preferably are made in adjacent pairs,i.e., a deletion of 2 residues or insertion of 2 residues.Substitutions, deletions, insertions or any combination thereof can becombined to arrive at a final construct. The mutations may or may notplace the sequence out of reading frame and may or may not createcomplementary regions that could produce secondary mRNA structure.Substitutional modifications are those in which at least one residue hasbeen removed and a different residue inserted in its place.

Modifications, including the specific amino acid substitutions disclosedherein, are made by known methods. By way of example, modifications aremade by site specific mutagenesis of nucleotides in the DNA encoding theprotein, thereby producing a DNA encoding the modification, andthereafter expressing the DNA in recombinant cell culture to produce theMsp monomers or single chain multimers. Techniques for makingsubstitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA having a knownsequence are well known, for example M13 primer mutagenesis and PCRmutagenesis.

The amino acids in the Msp proteins described herein can be any of the20 naturally occurring amino acids, D-stereoisomers of the naturallyoccurring amino acids, unnatural amino acids and chemically modifiedamino acids. Unnatural amino acids (that is, those that are notnaturally found in proteins) are also known in the art, as set forth in,for example, Williams et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:2574 (1989); Evans etal., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 112:4011-4030 (1990); Pu et al., J. Amer. Chem.Soc. 56:1280-1283 (1991); Williams et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc.113:9276-9286 (1991); and all references cited therein. B and y aminoacids are known in the art and are also contemplated herein as unnaturalamino acids.

As used herein, a chemically modified amino acid refers to an amino acidwhose side chain has been chemically modified. For example, a side chaincan be modified to comprise a signaling moiety, such as a fluorophore ora radiolabel. A side chain can also be modified to comprise a newfunctional group, such as a thiol, carboxylic acid, or amino group.Post-translationally modified amino acids are also included in thedefinition of chemically modified amino acids.

Also contemplated are conservative amino acid substitutions. By way ofexample, conservative amino acid substitutions can be made in one ormore of the amino acid residues of any Msp monomer provided herein. Oneof skill in the art would know that a conservative substitution is thereplacement of one amino acid residue with another that is biologicallyand/or chemically similar. The following eight groups each contain aminoacids that are conservative substitutions for one another:

1) Alanine (A), Glycine (G);

2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);

3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);

4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K);

5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V);

6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W);

7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and

8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M)

Nonconservative substitutions, for example, substituting a proline withglycine are also contemplated.

Those of skill in the art readily understand how to determine theidentity of two polypeptides or nucleic acids. For example, the identitycan be calculated after aligning the two sequences so that the identityis at its highest level. Another way of calculating identity can beperformed by published algorithms. Optimal alignment of sequences forcomparison can be conducted using the algorithm of Smith and Waterman,Adv. Appl. Math. 2: 482 (1981); by the alignment algorithm of Needlemanand Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443 (1970); by the search for similaritymethod of Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85: 2444(1988); by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP,BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package,Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.; the BLASTalgorithm of Tatusova and Madden FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 174: 247-250(1999) available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/blast/b12seq/bl2.html); or by inspection.

The same types of identity can be obtained for nucleic acids by, forexample, the algorithms disclosed in Zuker, Science 244:48-52, 1989;Jaeger et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:7706-7710, 1989; Jaeger etal. Methods Enzymol. 183:281-306, 1989 that are herein incorporated bythis reference for at least material related to nucleic acid alignment.It is understood that any of the methods typically can be used and that,in certain instances, the results of these various methods may differ,but the skilled artisan understands if identity is found with at leastone of these methods, the sequences would be said to have the statedidentity.

For example, as used herein, a sequence recited as having a particularpercent identity to another sequence refers to sequences that have therecited identity as calculated by any one or more of the calculationmethods described above. For example, a first sequence has 80 percentidentity, as defined herein, to a second sequence if the first sequenceis calculated to have 80 percent identity to the second sequence usingthe Zuker calculation method even if the first sequence does not have 80percent identity to the second sequence as calculated by any of theother calculation methods. As yet another example, a first sequence has80 percent identity, as defined herein, to a second sequence if thefirst sequence is calculated to have 80 percent identity to the secondsequence using each of calculation methods (although, in practice, thedifferent calculation methods will often result in different calculatedidentity percentages).

Further, any Msp or Msp monomer can also be chemically or biologicallymodified. For example, one can modify an Msp or Msp monomer withchemicals to produce disulfide bridges, as is known by those of skill inthe art.

An Msp can comprise a nucleotide binding site. As used herein, anucleotide binding site refers to a site in an Msp where a nucleotidestays in contact with, or resides at, an amino acid for a period of timethat is longer than attributable to diffusion movement, such as greaterthan one picosecond or one nanosecond. Molecular dynamics calculationscan be employed to assess these temporary resting times.

Polypeptides encoded by nucleic acids described herein are alsoprovided. Therefore polypeptides comprising a mutant Msp monomer orfunctional fragment thereof, are provided. Non-limiting examples ofmutant Msp monomers include but are not limited to, polypeptidescomprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4comprising any of the mutations described herein. Further provided is aMsp monomer comprising an amino acid sequence that has least 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99% identity or any percentagein between to a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein the polypeptide comprises any of themutations described herein. Also provided are polypeptides comprising amutant single-chain Msp or functional fragment thereof. Also providedare polypeptides comprising a mutant single-chain Msp comprising any ofthe mutant Msp monomers described herein, or a fragment thereof.

Non-limiting examples of mutant Msp monomers comprising mutations setforth herein are provided in Table 2. Each exemplary mutant Msp monomercomprises all of the mutations listed for each monomer. For example,D90N/D91N/D93N/P97F indicates that all four mutations are present.Single chain Msps comprising any of the exemplary mutant Msp monomersequences provided in Table 2 are also provided herein. It is understoodthat amino acids listed in parentheses are listed as alternatives forsubstitutions at that position. For example, P97 (A/V/L/IF/M/Y/W or G)means that P97 can be substituted with A, V, L, I, F, M, Y W or G.

TABLE 2 D90N/D91N/D93N/P97(A/V/L/I/F/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/P97F/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/P97FD90N/D91N/D93N/G92(A/V/L/I/P/F/M/Y or W)D90N/D91N/D93N/I94(A/V/L/P/F/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/T95(A/V/L/P/F/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/A96(V/L/P/F/I/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/P98(A/V/L/F/I/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/F99(A/V/L/P/I/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/G100(A/V/L/P/F/I/M/Y or W)D90N/D91N/D93N/L101(A/V/I/F/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/N102((A/V/L/I/P/F/M/Y/W or G)D90N/D91N/D93N/S103((A/V/L/I/P/F/M/Y/W or G) D90N/G92F/D91N/D93N/P97FD90N/T95F/D91N/D93N/P97F D90N/A96F/D91N/D93N/P97FD90N/A96F/D91N/D93N/P97F/P98F D90N/G92F/D91N/D93N/P97F/D118R/D134R/E139KI68(R/K/F/W/Y or H)/D90N/D91N/D93N I68(R/K/F/W/Y orH)/D90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139K I68(K/R/F/W/Y or H)/D90N/D91N/D93NI68(K/R/F/W/Y or H)/D90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139K S73 (K/R/F/W/Y orH)/D90N/D91N/D93N S73 (K/R/F/W/Y or H)/D90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139KS73 (K/R/F/W/Y or H)/D90N/D91N/D93N S73 (K/R/F/W/Y orH)/D90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/S116RD90N/D91N/D93N/S116R/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/S116KD90N/D91N/D93N/S116K/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/P123RD90N/D91N/D93N/P123R/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/P123KD90N/D91N/D93N/P123K/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/L88(K/R/F/W/H orY) D90N/D91N/D93N/I105(K/R/F/W/H or Y) D90N/D91N/D93N/L88(K/R/F/W/H orY)/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/I105(K/R/F/W/H orY)/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/L88(K/R/F/W/H or Y)/I105(K/R/F/W/Hor Y) D90N/D91N/D93N/L88(K/R/F/W/H or Y)/I105(K/R/F/W/H orY)/D118R/D134R/E139K D90N/D91N/D93N/L88(K/R/F/W/H or Y)D90N/D91N/D93N/T83(K/R/F/W/H or Y)/D118R/D134R/E139KD90N/D91N/D93N/T83(K/R/F/W/H or Y) D90N/D91N/D93N/N86(K/R/F/W/H or Y)D90N/D91N/D93N/N86(K/R/F/W/H or Y)/D118R/D134R/E139KTunnel-Forming Proteins

Methods of determining whether a protein is a tunnel-forming protein arewell known in the art. One can determine if an Msp forms a tunnel bydetermining whether the protein inserts into a bilayer, such asdescribed in Example 2 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120055792,incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. All of themethods of making and using porins described in U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 20120055792 can be employed to make and use the Msp porins describedherein. If the protein inserts into the bilayer, then the porin is atunnel-forming protein. Typically, tunnel formation is detected byobserving a discrete change in conductivity. See, U.S. PatentPublication No. 20120055792, and Niederweis et al., Mol. Microbiol.33:933 (1999), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Bilayers are described herein. An Msp will typically be able to beinserted in a lipid bilayer or other thin film, which are eachwell-known in the art. An example of inserting a mutant MspA into alipid bilayer is provided in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120055792;this technique can be applied to other Msp proteins as well. Inaddition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,594, incorporated herein by reference,describes a variety of lipid bilayers and thin films, includinginorganic materials, that can be employed with respect to the Mspsdiscussed herein. Methods, apparatuses, and techniques described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,267,872, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,are also employable with respect to Msps discussed herein. Moreover,more than one Msp can be comprised in a lipid bilayer. For example, 2 3,4, 5, 10, 20, 200, 2000, or more can be comprised in a lipid bilayer.Optionally, anywhere from 2 to 10¹⁰ Msps can be employed in methodsdescribed herein. Such a plurality of Msps can be in the form ofclusters of Msps. Clusters can be randomly assembled or can adopt apattern. As used herein, a cluster refers to molecules that are groupedtogether and move as a unit, but are not covalently bound to oneanother.

Optionally, Msps do not gate spontaneously. As used herein, to gate orgating refers to the spontaneous change of electrical conductancethrough the tunnel of the protein that is usually temporary (e.g.,lasting for as few as 1-10 milliseconds to up to a second). Long lastinggating events can often be reversed by changing the polarity. Under mostcircumstances, the probability of gating increases with the applicationof higher voltages. Gating and the degree of conductance through thetunnel change are highly variable among Msps, depending on, for example,the make-up of the vestibule and constriction zone as well as theproperties of the liquid medium in which the protein is submerged.Typically, the protein becomes less conductive during gating, andconductance can permanently stop (i.e., the tunnel may permanently shut)as a result, such that the process is irreversible. Optionally, gatingrefers to the conductance through the tunnel of a protein spontaneouslychanging to less than 75% of its open state current.

Various conditions such as light and liquid medium, including its pH,buffer composition, detergent composition, and temperature, can affectthe behavior of an Msp, particularly with respect to its conductancethrough the tunnel as well as the movement of an analyte with respect tothe tunnel, either temporarily or permanently.

As used throughout, a tunnel refers to the central, empty portion of anMsp that is defined by the vestibule and the constriction zone, throughwhich a gas, liquid, ion, or analyte can pass. As used herein, “cis”refers to the side of an Msp tunnel through which an analyte enters thetunnel or across the face of which the analyte moves. As used herein,“trans” refers to the side of an Msp tunnel through which an analyte (orfragments thereof) exits the tunnel or across the face of which theanalyte does not move.

Any mutant Msp described herein, for example a mutant MspA, can comprisea vestibule and a constriction zone that define a tunnel. Further, thediameter of a mutant Msp or mutant Msp paralog or homolog can be lessthan the diameter of the constriction zone of a corresponding wild-typeMsp or wild-type Msp paralog or homolog. A mutant Msp or mutant Mspparalog or homolog can have a mutation in the vestibule or theconstriction zone that permits an analyte to translocate,electrophoretically or otherwise, through the tunnel of the mutant Mspor mutant Msp paralog or homolog with a translocation velocity or anaverage translocation velocity that is less than the translocationvelocity or average translocation velocity at which the analytetranslocates through the tunnel of a wild-type Msp or wild-type Mspparalog or homolog. Also, any mutant Msp described herein can comprise avestibule having a length from about 2 to about 6 nm and a diameter fromabout 2 to about 6 nm, and a constriction zone 5 having a length fromabout 0.3 to about 3 nm and a diameter from about 0.3 to about 3 nm,wherein the vestibule and constriction zone together define a tunnel. Itis understood that, one or more mutations, can be made in the vestibuleor the constriction zone of any of the Msp described herein in order toincrease or decrease conductance through the tunnel of an Msp. Forexample, any of the mutant Msps described herein can further comprise adeletion, substitution or insertion of an amino acid in the vestibuleand/or the constriction zone in order to modify conductance.

As used throughout, a vestibule refers to the cone-shaped portion of theinterior of an Msp whose diameter generally decreases from one end tothe other along a central axis, where the narrowest portion of thevestibule is connected to the constriction zone. A vestibule can also bereferred to as a goblet. The vestibule and the constriction zonetogether define the tunnel of an Msp. When referring to a diameter ofthe vestibule, it is understood that because the vestibule is cone-likein shape, the diameter changes along the path of a central axis, wherethe diameter is larger at one end than the opposite end. The diametercan range from about 2 nm to about 6 nm. Optionally, the diameter isabout, at least about, or at most about 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6,2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0,4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, or 6.0 nm, or any range derivable therein. Thelength of the central axis can range from about 2 nm to about 6 nm.Optionally, the length is about, at least about, or at most about 2,2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4,3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8,4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, or 6.0 nm, or anyrange derivable therein. When referring to diameter herein, one candetermine a diameter by measuring center-to-center distances or atomicsurface-to-surface distances.

As used throughout, a constriction zone refers to the narrowest portionof the tunnel of an Msp, in terms of diameter, that is connected to thevestibule. The length of the constriction zone can range from about 0.3nm to about 2 nm. Optionally, the length is about, at most about, or atleast about 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, or 3 nm, or any range derivable therein. Thediameter of the constriction zone can range from about 0.3 nm to about 2nm. Optionally, the diameter is about, at most about, or at least about0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6,1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, or 3 nm, or any range derivable therein.

Any Msp discussed herein can be comprised in a lipid bilayer.Optionally, an analyte electrophoretically or otherwise translocatesfrom the cis side through a tunnel to the trans side. Optionally, ananalyte electrophoretically or otherwise translocates from the transside through a tunnel to the cis side. Optionally, an analyte iselectrophoretically or otherwise driven from the cis side or the transside into a tunnel and stays in the tunnel or then retracts to the cisside or the trans side, respectively. It is understood that analytes cantranslocate through the tunnel in the presence or absence of an electricfield.

Single-chain Msps function at a wide range of electrolyte concentration,for example from about 0.3-1M KCl (see FIG. 22). To optimize channelactivity, lipid association can be performed prior to insertion of Mspin a membrane or lipid bilayer. In a non-limiting example, FIG. 22 showsthat no channel activity was observed in a buffer containing only 0.3 MKCl at pH 8.0. However, breaking the membrane and subsequent repaintingof the membrane leads to increased channel activity of scMspA PN1 in theelectrolyte containing 0.3 M KCl at pH 8.0. Therefore, in any of themethods set forth herein, an Msp can be contacted or preincubated withone or more lipids to optimize channel activity.

Vectors and Cells

A vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide describedherein is also provided. The vector can further comprise a promotersequence, for example, a constitutive promoter or an inducible promoter.Examples of constitutive promoter include, but are not limited to, thep_(smyc) promoter and Phsp60. Examples of inducible promoters include,but are not limited to, an acetamide-inducible promoter and atetracycline inducible promoter.

Cultured cells transfected with any vector described herein, or progenythereof, wherein the cell is capable of expressing a Msp (either as asingle-chain Msp, an Msp comprising Msp monomers or an Msp monomer, arealso provided). A Mycobacterium smegmatis strain comprising any vectordescribed herein is also provided. A Mycobacterium smegmatis strain freeof endogenous porins is also contemplated and can further comprise anyvector described herein. By “free” is meant that an endogenous porincannot be detected in an immunoblot when using an appropriateMsp-specific antiserum, or comprising less than 1% endogenous porins.

Any of the Msp monomers or single-chain Msps disclosed herein can beproduced by transforming a mutant bacterial strain comprising a deletionof a wild-type MspA, a wild-type MspB, a wild-type MspC, a wildtypeMspD, with a vector comprising an inducible promoter operably linked toa nucleic acid sequence encoding the Msp monomer or single-chain Mspporin; and purifying the Msp monomer or single-chain Msp porin (See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,594 incorporated herein by reference).Optionally, the mutant bacterial strain comprises a deletion of a recAgene. Optionally, the vector comprises any of the nucleic acids encodingan Msp monomer or single-chain Msp described herein. The bacterialstrain can further comprise M. smegmatis strain ML16, ML714 or ML712.

Systems and Methods of Use

Also provided is a system comprising a mutant Msp described hereinhaving a vestibule and a constriction zone that define a tunnel, whereinthe tunnel is positioned between a first liquid medium and a secondliquid medium, wherein at least one liquid medium comprises an analyte,and wherein the system is operative to detect a property of the analyte.A system can be operative to detect a property of any analyte comprisingsubjecting an Msp to an electric field such that the analyte interactswith the Msp. A system can be operative to detect a property of theanalyte comprising subjecting the Msp to an electric field such that theanalyte electrophoretically translocates through the tunnel of the Msp.Also provided is a system comprising an Msp having a vestibule and aconstriction zone that define a tunnel, wherein the tunnel is positionedin a lipid bilayer between a first liquid medium and a second liquidmedium, and wherein the only point of liquid communication between thefirst and second liquid media occurs in the tunnel. Moreover, any systemdescribed herein can comprise any mutant Msp described herein.

The first and second liquid media can be the same or different, andeither one or both can comprise one or more salts, detergents, orbuffers. In fact, any liquid media described herein can comprise one ormore of a salt, a detergent, or a buffer. Optionally, at least oneliquid medium is conductive. Optionally, at least one liquid medium isnot conductive. Any liquid medium described herein can comprise aviscosity-altering substance or a velocity-altering substance. Theliquid medium can comprise any analyte described herein.

A property of an analyte can be an electrical, chemical, or physicalproperty. An Msp can be comprised in a lipid bilayer in a system or anyother embodiment described herein. A system can comprise a plurality ofMsps. A system can comprise any Msp described herein, such as asingle-chain mutant MspA or a mutant Msp comprising at least 2-15monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a mutant MspA monomer.A mutant Msp comprised in a system can comprise a vestibule having alength from about 2 to about 6 nm and a diameter from about 2 to about 6nm, and a constriction zone having a length from about 0.3 to about 3 nmand a diameter from about 0.3 to about 3 nm, wherein the vestibule andconstriction zone together define a tunnel.

Any Msp described herein, including an Msp comprised in a system, canfurther comprise a molecular motor. The molecular motor in a system iscapable of moving an analyte into or through a tunnel with atranslocation velocity or an average translocation velocity that is lessthan the translocation velocity or average translocation velocity atwhich the analyte translocates into or through the tunnel in the absenceof the molecular motor. The molecular motor can be, for example, anenzyme, such as a polymerase, an exonuclease, or a helicase such as DnaBor a phage nucleic acid packing motors (see, for example, Serwer Viruses3(7): 1249-80 (2011)). Any system described herein can further comprisea patch-clamp amplifier or a data acquisition device. A system canfurther comprise one or more temperature regulating devices incommunication with the first liquid medium, the second liquid medium, orboth. Any system described herein can be operative to translocate ananalyte through an Msp tunnel either electrophoretically or otherwise.

The mutant MspA can have a mutation in the vestibule or the constrictionzone that permits an analyte to translocate, e.g., electrophoretically,through the tunnel with an average translocation velocity of less than0.5 nm/μs or less than 0.05 nm/μs. The analyte can be selected from thegroup consisting of a nucleotide(s), a nucleic acid, amino acid(s), apeptide, a protein, a polymer, a drug, an ion, a biological warfareagent, a pollutant, a nanoscopic object, or a combination or clusterthereof. Optionally, the analyte is further defined as a nucleic acid.The nucleic acid can translocate, electrophoretically or otherwise,through the tunnel with an average translocation velocity of less than 1nucleotide/μs, or less than 0.1 nucleotide/μs. A nucleic acid can befurther defined as ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, electrophoretically translocating an analyte, refers toapplying an electric field to an Msp porin that is in contact with oneor more solutions (e.g., immersed in a solution), such that currentflows through the Msp tunnel. The electric field moves an analyte suchthat it interacts with the tunnel. As used herein, “interacts” meansthat the analyte moves into and, optionally, through the tunnel, where“through the Msp tunnel” (or “translocates”) means to enter one side ofthe tunnel and move to and out of the other side of the tunnel. It isspecifically contemplated that any analyte discussed herein cantranslocate through an Msp tunnel, either electrophoretically orotherwise, in any embodiment discussed herein. In this regard, it isspecifically contemplated that any embodiment herein comprisingtranslocation can refer to electrophoretic translocation ornonelectrophoretic translocation, unless specifically noted. Optionally,methods that do not employ electrophoretic translocation arecontemplated.

As used throughout, a liquid medium includes aqueous, organic-aqueous,and organic-only liquid media. Organic media include, e.g., methanol,ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, and mixtures thereof. Liquids employable inmethods described herein are well-known in the art. Descriptions andexamples of such media, including conductive liquid media, are providedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,503, for example, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Salts, detergents, or buffers may be added tosuch media. Such agents can be employed to alter pH or ionic strength ofthe liquid medium. Viscosity-altering substances, such as glycerol orvarious polymers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol,polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose polymers), and mixtures thereof, can beincluded in liquid media. Methods of measuring viscosity are well-knownin the art.

Any agent that can be added to a liquid medium can also alter thevelocity of an analyte that is being studied. As such, avelocity-altering agent may be a salt, a detergent, a buffer, aviscosity-altering substance, or any other agent added to a liquidmedium that increases or decreases the velocity of an analyte.Typically, an analyte employed herein is soluble or partially soluble inat least one liquid medium that is in contact with an Msp describedherein.

As used herein, nucleic acid refers to a deoxyribonucleotide orribonucleotide polymer in either single- or double-stranded form, andunless otherwise limited, encompasses known analogs of naturalnucleotides that hybridize to nucleic acids in a manner similar tonaturally occurring nucleotides, such as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs)and phosphorothioate DNA. Unless otherwise indicated, a particularnucleic acid sequence includes the complementary sequence thereof.Nucleotides include, but are not limited to, ATP, dATP, CTP, dCTP, GTP,dGTP, UTP, TTP, dUTP, 5-methyl-CTP, 5-methyldCTP, ITP, diTP,2-amino-adenosine-TP, 2-amino-deoxyadenosine-TP, 2-thiothymidinetriphosphate, pyrrolo-pyrimidine triphosphate, and 2-thiocytidine, aswell as the alphathiotriphosphates for all of the above, and2′-O-methyl-ribonucleotide triphosphates for all the above bases.Modified bases include, but are not limited to, 5-Br-UTP, 5-BrdUTP,5-F-UTP, 5-F-dUTP, 5-propynyl dCTP, and 5-propynyl-dUTP.

As used herein, a drug refers to any substance that may alter abiological process of a subject. Drugs can be designed or used for or inthe diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease, disorder,syndrome, or other health affliction of a subject. Drugs can berecreational in nature, that is, used simply to alter a biologicalprocess and not used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, or preventionof a disease, disorder, syndrome, or other health affliction of asubject. Biologics, which refer to substances produced by biologicalmechanisms involving recombinant DNA technology, are also encompassed bythe term drug. Drugs include, for example, antibacterials,anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants, antivirals, antihypertensives,antidepressants, antimicrobials, analgesics, anesthetics, beta-blockers,bisphosphonates, chemotherapeutics, contrast agents, fertilitymedications, hallucinogens, hormones, narcotics, opiates, sedatives,statins, steroids, and vasodilators. Non-limiting examples of drugs canalso be found in the Merck Index: an Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs,and Biologicals, 15^(th) ed. New Jersey: Merck, 2013. Antibacterialdrugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis, for example, includeisoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Methods employing adrug as an analyte can further comprise drug screening. For example,uptake of a drug into a cell or an organism can be investigated using anMsp by observing ion current blockades. Specific Msp porin constrictionzones and/or vestibules with various sizes, electrostatic properties,and chemical properties can be constructed to closely emulate thedesired pathway for drugs to enter or exit a cell or organism. Thesemethods could greatly accelerate screening for drugs as well as drugdesign (see, for example, Pagel et al., J. Bacteriology 189:8593(2007)).

As used herein, a biological warfare agent refers to any organism or anynaturally occurring, bioengineered, or synthesized component of any suchmicroorganism capable of causing death or disease in plants or animals(including humans) or degradation of food or water supplies, ordegradation of the environment. Non-limiting examples include Ebolaviruses, Marburg virus, Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium botulinum,Variola major, Variola minor, anthrax, and ricin.

As used herein, a pollutant refers to a material that pollutes air,water, or soil. Non-limiting examples of pollutants include fertilizers,pesticides, insecticides, detergents, petroleum hydrocarbons, smoke, andheavy metal-containing substances, such as those containing zinc,copper, or mercury (e.g., methylmercury).

Any analyte can be used herein, including, for example, a nucleotide(s),a nucleic acid, an amino acid(s), a peptide, a protein, a polymer, adrug, an ion, a biological warfare agent, a pollutant, a nanoscopicobject, or any other molecule comprising one of these analytes or acombination of thereof. An analyte can be a cluster of molecules (e.g.2-10 nucleotides or amino acids), in that the cluster as a whole isconsidered an analyte. Typically, an analyte's size will not be so greatsuch that it cannot enter a tunnel of an Msp. In other words, a typicalanalyte will be smaller in size than the opening of a tunnel of an Msp.However, an analyte having a size larger than the opening of a tunnelcan be employed, and it can be determined that the analyte's size is toolarge to enter the tunnel. Optionally, the molecular weight of theanalyte is less than one million Da. Optionally, the molecular weight ofthe analyte is about, at most about, or at least about 1,000,000,950,000, 900,000, 850,000, 800,000, 750,000, 700,000, 650,000, 600,000,550,000, 500,000, 450,000, 400,000, 350,000, 300,000, 250,000, 200,000,150,000, 100,000, 75,000, 50,000, 25,000, 20,000, 15,000, 10,000, 7,500,5,000, 2,500, 2,000, 1,500, 1,000, or 500 Da or less, or any rangederivable therein.

An analyte can also be a nanoscopic object, which is an object that issmaller than 100 nm in two of its dimensions. As used herein, an analytecan further comprise a magnetic bead. A magnetic bead can be furtherdefined as a streptavidin-coated magnetic bead. An analyte can furthercomprise an optical bead. Any analyte described herein can be an ion orcan be neutral. An analyte can comprise biotin.

Beads that can be employed include magnetic beads and optical beads. Forexample, one can use streptavidin-coated magnetic beads to apply anopposing force to the electrostatic forces that pull DNA through thetunnel of an Msp. In this latter technique a magnetic bead is attachedto biotinylated DNA, and a force comparable to the electrostatic drivingforce (−10 pN) would be applied using a strong magnetic field gradient.See Gosse and Croquette, Biophys. J. 82:3314 (2002). In this way, theblockade-current readout would be unaffected, but the forces on the DNAcould be independently controlled. Tens or hundreds of complete,independent reads of each DNA could then be correlated and assembled toreconstruct an accurate DNA sequence.

Optical beads manipulated by “optical tweezers” are also known in theart, and such methods can be applied to the Msps described herein.Optical tweezers are a common tool used to exert a force on a nanoscopicobject. An analyte is attached on one end of the bead, while the otherend can be inserted into the tunnel of the porin. The position and forceof the bead is controlled and measured with the optical tweezers. Suchmethods control the passage of the analyte into the tunnel and allow formore control of the reading of the analyte, such as the reading of theunits of a polymer. See, e.g., Trepagnier et al., Nano Lett. 7:2824(2007) for a description of such methods in the context of artificialnanopores. U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,782, incorporated herein by reference,also discusses the use of optical tweezers.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), a well-known technique,can be employed in analytical methods described herein. For example, afluorescent FRET acceptor or FRET-donor molecule can be incorporatedinto an Msp. The analyte is then labeled with a matching FRET-donor orFRET-acceptor. When the matching FRET donor is within the Forsterdistance to the FRET acceptor, energy transfer will likely occur. Theresulting signal could be used for analytical purposes instead of or inaddition to methods using ion current as described herein. Accordingly,methods of detection, identification, or sequencing can comprise FRETtechnology. Other optical methods that can be employed includeintroducing optically active molecules into the interior of an Msp (suchas the vestibule or the constriction zone). External light would beapplied to affect the interior of the protein. Such methods could beused to affect the translocation velocity of an analyte or could allowthe analyte's entry or exit from the tunnel, offering controlled passageof the analyte. Alternatively, optical pulses focused onto the porecould be used to heat the pore to affect how it interacts with theanalyte. Such control could be very fast as the heat from a small volumeof a focal point would dissipate rapidly. Methods of controlling thetranslocation velocity of an analyte can therefore employ such opticallyactive molecules or optical pulses. Manipulation of translocationvelocity can also be accomplished by attaching an object to one end ofan analyte, and the other end of the analyte then interacts with theMsp. The object can be a bead (e.g., a polystyrene bead), a cell, alarge molecule such as streptavidin, neutravidin, DNA, etc., or ananoscopic object. The object could then be subjected to a fluid flow orcould be subject to passive viscous drag.

Molecular motors are well-known in the art and refer to a molecule(e.g., an enzyme) that physically interacts with an analyte, such as apolymer (e.g., a 15 polynucleotide), and is capable of physically movingthe analyte with respect to a fixed location, such as the vestibule,constriction zone, or tunnel of an Msp. Although not intending to bebound by theory, molecular motors utilize chemical energy to generatemechanical force. A molecular motor can interact with each unit (or“mer”) of a polymer in a sequential manner. Non-limiting examples ofmolecular motors include DNA polymerases, RNA polymerases, helicases,ribosomes, and exonucleases. Nonenzymatic motors are also known, such asvirus motors that pack DNA. See Smith et al., Nature 413:748 (2001). Avariety of molecular motors and desirable properties of such motors aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,485, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

A molecular motor can be disposed on the cis side or the trans side ofan Msp porin and can optionally be immobilized, such as described by the'485 patent. Methods of incorporating a molecular motor into an Msp canbe performed using methods described in the '485 patent. Systems andapparatuses described in the '485 patent can be employed with respect toan Msp described herein as well. Indeed, any embodiment discussed in the'485 patent can be employed using an Msp, as described herein. Molecularmotors are also discussed in, e.g., Cockroft et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc.130:818 (2008); Benner et al., Nature Nanotech. 2:718 (2007); andGyarfas et al., ACS Nano 3:1457 (2009).

A molecular motor is typically employed to regulate the rate ortranslocation velocity at which an analyte interacts with an Msp. AnyMsp described herein can comprise a molecular motor. Optionally, amolecular motor is employed to decrease the rate at which an analyteenters an Msp porin tunnel or to decrease the translocation velocity atwhich an analyte translocates through an Msp tunnel. Optionally, thetranslocation velocity or average translocation velocity is less than0.5 nm/μs. Optionally, the translocation velocity or averagetranslocation velocity is less than 0.05 nm/μs. Optionally, thetranslocation velocity or average translocation velocity is less than 1nucleotide/μs. Optionally, the translocation velocity or averagetranslocation velocity is less than 0.1 nucleotide/μs.

Optionally, the rate of movement of an analyte ranges from greater than0 Hz to 2000 Hz. Here, rate refers to the number of subunits (or “mers”)of a regular polymer advancing in one second (Hz). Optionally, the rangeis between about 50-1500 Hz, 100-1500 Hz, or 350-1500 Hz. Optionally,the rate of movement is about, at most about, or at least about 25, 75,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 15 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750,800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350,1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600, 1650, 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850, 1900, 1950,or 2000 Hz, or any range derivable therein. The rate can be controlledby the use of a molecular motor that moves an analyte at a substantiallyconstant rate, at least for a portion of time during a characterization.In addition, the range of rate of movement can depend on the molecularmotor. For example, for an RNA polymerase, a range can be 350-1500 Hz;for a DNA polymerase, a range can be 75-1500 Hz; and for ribosomes,helicases, and exonucleases, a range can be 50-1500 Hz.

Recording and detection techniques can be employed in the methodsdescribed herein. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,795,782 and 7,189,503,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, also describesrecording methods and instrumentation that can be employed with respectto Msps, as well as methods for optimizing conductance readings. U.S.Pat. No. 6,746,594, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,describes a support for thin films containing nanopores and methods forusing such supports that can be employed with respect to the Mspsdescribed herein.

Method of Making a Single Chain Msp

The Msp pore, for example, MspA, is currently the best available channelprotein for nanopore sequencing of nucleic acids. However, itscomposition of eight subunits makes it impossible to introduceasymmetric changes in the pore that could optimize the properties of theMsp for nucleic acid sequencing. In order to overcome this difficulty,methods of making a single chain Msp are provided herein. These methodscan be used to produce a full or partial single-chain Msp. Generally,the method comprises transforming a mutant bacterial strain. The mutantstrain comprises a deletion of a wild-type MspA, a wild-type MspB, awild-type MspC, a wild-type MspD, and optionally a deletion of the recAgene. The mutant strain is transformed with a vector comprising anucleic acid sequence encoding a single-chain Msp porin. Thesingle-chain Msp porin is then purified from the bacteria. Optionally,the single-chain Msp porin comprises a single-chain MspA porin.Optionally, the vector comprises any of the nucleic acids describedherein.

As described in the Examples, in order to combine the superiorsequencing capabilities of MspA with an increased ability to adaptvestibule and constriction properties to DNA sequencing, a single-chainMspA porin octamer was constructed that allows for the optimalproperties of the vestibule and the constriction zone for DNAsequencing. The MspA chain termini are close together in the MspA porinand are connected by a short peptide linker. The (GGGGS)₃ (SEQ ID NO:3)peptide, for example, is used to connect the carboxy-terminus of thepreceding MspA monomer (or multimer) to the amino-terminus of thefollowing MspA monomer (or multimer), which lacks signal peptide. Tocreate a vector comprising the MspA porin sequence, each MspA monomersequence is flanked by a unique restriction site, which allows thecapability to mutate any individual monomer. To create an MspA porinsequence, each MspA sequence can be assembled stepwise to form adimeric, tetrameric, and octameric single-chain MspA utilizing theunique restriction sites. To avoid problems of recombination in creatingthe single-chain MspA multimer, seven MspA genes are synthesized withdifferent codon usages i.e., the genes encode the exact same amino acidsequence, however, the DNA sequence has been altered from the nativeMspA nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10). To create the MspA porinsequence, the nucleotide sequence encoding the first Msp monomer canoptionally contain a nucleic acid sequence encoding a leader sequence(e.g., amino acids 1 to 27 of SEQ ID NO: 6). Each of the seven Mspmonomer sequences following the first Msp monomer sequence can compriseSEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 1 with one or more mutations describedherein. The vector comprising the MspA porin sequence is transformedinto the quadruple porin mutant bacterial strain, as described in theExamples. Optionally, single chain Msps can be purified and subjected toa refolding procedure. For example, anion exchange chromatography in thepresence of 8M urea can be used to obtain a pure fraction of a singlechain Msp which is dialyzed against a buffer to remove urea. Afterdialysis, a refolding buffer comprising a refolding agent, for example,L-arginine and detergent, are added to the sample and purified, refoldedsingle chain Msp is obtained. Refolding agents are known to those ofskill in the art. These include, but are not limited to, arginine,arginine hydrochloride, arginineamide, glycineamide, proline, glycerol,and cyclodextrains (see, for example, Yamaguchi et al. Biomolecules 4:235-251 (2014); and expression levels and oligomeric status of the MspAporin can be checked by Western blot or other immunohistochemicaltechniques known to those of skill in the art. The tunnel activity ofthe MspA porin can be determined by lipid bilayer experiments, asdescribed in the Examples and as known to those of skill in the art.

Single chain M1₈-MspA pores insert much more frequently into lipidbilayers than a similar amount of octameric M1-MspA. Insertion ofoctameric MspA is a tedious procedure. Thus, single-chain Msps, such asthose described herein facilitate setup of systems and methods of usingMsp for detecting and identifying analytes, for example, for nucleicacid sequencing.

Method of Increasing Msp Insertion in a Lipid Bilayer

Provided herein is a method of increasing the number of Msp insertionsin a lipid bilayer, comprising contacting any Msp described herein witha lipid to form a lipid-associated Msp and inserting thelipid-associated Msp of step into a lipid bilayer. Optionally, thecontacting step comprises inserting the Msp in a lipid bilayer anddisrupting the lipid bilayer to form a lipid-associated Msp. Forexample, an Msp can be inserted in a lipid bilayer that is subsequentlydisrupted. The disrupted lipid bilayer comprises Msp(s). Therefore, theMsp(s) are lipid associated. The lipid-associated Msp can then becontacted with other lipids to form another lipid bilayer that comprisesthe lipid-associated Msps. As used herein, a lipid bilayer is a thinmembrane comprising lipid molecules, for example, phosopholipids, thatcan be used to insert any Msp provided herein. Therefore, in the methodsprovided herein, the Msp can be contacted with phospholipids, either aspart of a lipid bilayer or not, in order to form lipid-associated Msp.

As set forth above, one of skill in the art can determine if an Mspinserts into a bilayer, by using techniques such as those described inExample 2 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120055792, incorporatedherein in its entirety by this reference. All of the methods of makingand using porins described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120055792can be employed to make and use the Msp porins described herein. If theprotein inserts into the bilayer, then the porin is a tunnel-formingprotein. Typically, tunnel formation is detected by observing a discretechange in conductivity. See, U.S. Patent Publication No. 20120055792,and Niederweis et al., Mol. Microbiol. 33:933 (1999), both of which areincorporated herein by reference. The increase in Msp insertions can bean increase of about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%,200%, 300%, 400% or greater.

Detection Methods

Further provided is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte,comprising: (a) applying an electric field sufficient to translocate ananalyte from a first conductive medium to a second conductive medium inliquid communication through any mutant Msp described herein; and (b)measuring an ion current, wherein a reduction in the ion currentindicates the presence of the analyte in the first medium. Optionally,the first and second liquid conductive media are the same. Optionally,the first and second liquid conductive media are different. The mutantMsp porin can be any mutant Msp porin discussed herein. For example, theMsp porin can be a mutant single-chain Msp, a mutant Msp comprising 2-15monomers or combinations thereof. As set forth above, a plurality ofMsps can also be used in the methods described herein.

In the methods disclosed herein, an Msp can further comprise a molecularmotor. The molecular motor can be capable of moving an analyte into orthrough a tunnel with a translocation velocity or an averagetranslocation velocity that is less than the translocation velocity oraverage translocation velocity at which the analyte electrophoreticallytranslocates into or through the tunnel in the absence of the molecularmotor. Accordingly, in any embodiment herein comprising application ofan electric field, the electric field can be sufficient to cause theanalyte to electrophoretically translocate through the tunnel. Anyliquid medium discussed herein, such as a conductive liquid medium, cancomprise an analyte. In the methods comprising measuring an ion current,the analyte interacts with an Msp porin tunnel to provide a currentpattern, wherein the appearance of a blockade in the current patternindicates the presence of the analyte.

The methods disclosed herein can further comprise identifying theanalyte. For example, such methods can comprise comparing the currentpattern obtained with respect to an unknown analyte to that of a knowncurrent pattern obtained using a known analyte under the sameconditions. In another example, and not to be limiting, identifying theanalyte can comprise (a) measuring the ion current to provide a currentpattern, wherein a reduction in the current defines a blockade in thecurrent pattern, and (b) comparing one or more blockades in the currentpattern to (i) one or more blockades in the current pattern, or (ii) oneor more blockades in a known current pattern obtained using a knownanalyte.

The analyte can be any analyte described herein. For example, theanalyte can be a nucleotide(s), a nucleic acid, an amino acid(s), apeptide, a protein, a polymer, a drug, an ion, a pollutant, a nanoscopicobject, or a biological warfare agent. In the methods provided herein,optionally, at least one of the first or second conductive liquid mediacomprises a plurality of different analytes.

In methods where the analyte is a polymer, for example, a protein, apeptide or a nucleic acid, the method can further comprise identifyingone or more units of the polymer. For example, identifying one or moreunits of the polymer can comprise measuring the ion current to provide acurrent pattern comprising a blockade for each polymer unit, andcomparing one or more blockades in the current pattern to (i) one ormore other blockades in the current pattern or (ii) one or moreblockades in a current pattern obtained using a polymer having knownunits. These methods can comprise identifying sequential units of thepolymer, for example, and not to be limiting, sequential or consecutivenucleotides in a nucleic acid. In another example, sequential orconsecutive amino acids in a polypeptide can be identified using themethods described herein.

The methods provided herein can comprise distinguishing at least a firstunit within a polymer from at least a second unit within the polymer.Distinguishing can comprise measuring the ion current produced as thefirst and second units separately translocate through a tunnel toproduce a first and a second current pattern, respectively, where thefirst and second current patterns differ from each other.

The methods provided herein can further comprise sequencing a polymer.Sequencing can comprise measuring the ion current or optical signals aseach unit of the polymer is separately translocated through the tunnelto provide a current pattern that is associated with each unit, andcomparing each current pattern to the current pattern of a known unitobtained under the same conditions, such that the polymer is sequenced.

Further provided is a method of sequencing nucleic acids or polypeptidesusing any of the mutant Msps provided herein. The method comprisescreating a lipid bilayer comprising a first and second side, adding apurified Msp to the first side of the lipid bilayer, applying positivevoltage to the second side of the lipid bilayer, translocating anexperimental nucleic acid or polypeptide sequence through the Msp porin,comparing the experimental blockade current with a blockade currentstandard, and determining the experimental sequence.

Any of the detection methods provided herein can further comprisedetermining the concentration, size, molecular weight, shape, ororientation of the analyte, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, a polymer refers to a molecule that comprises two ormore linear units (also known as a “mers”), where each unit may be thesame or different. Non-limiting examples of polymers include nucleicacids, peptides, and proteins, as well as a variety of hydrocarbonpolymers (e.g., polyethylene, polystyrene) and functionalizedhydrocarbon polymers, wherein the backbone of the polymer comprises acarbon chain (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polymethacrylates). Polymersinclude copolymers, block copolymers, and branched polymers such as starpolymers and dendrimers.

Methods of sequencing polymers using Msp are described herein. Inaddition, sequencing methods can be performed in methods analogous tothose described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,503, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,714,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. More than one read canbe performed in such sequencing methods to improve accuracy. Methods ofanalyzing characteristics of polymers (e.g., size, length,concentration, identity) and identifying discrete units (or “mers”) ofpolymers are discussed in the '503 patent as well, and can be employedwith respect to the present Msps. Indeed, an Msp can be employed withrespect to any method discussed in the '503 patent.

At present, several types of observable signals can be used as readoutmechanisms in nanopore sequencing and analyte detection. An exemplaryreadout method relies on an ionic blockade current or copassing current,uniquely determined by the identity of a nucleotide or other analyteoccupying the narrowest constriction in the pore. This method isreferred to as blockade current nanopore sequencing or BCNS. Blockadecurrent detection and characterization of nucleic acids has beendemonstrated in both the protein pore ahemolysin (aHL) and solid-statenanopores.

Blockade current detection and characterization has been shown toprovide a host of information about the structure of DNA passingthrough, or held in, a nanopore in various contexts. In general, ablockade is evidenced by a change in ion current that is clearlydistinguishable from noise fluctuations and is usually associated withthe presence of an analyte molecule at the pore's central opening. Thestrength of the blockade will depend on the type of analyte that ispresent. More particularly, a blockade refers to an interval where theionic current drops below a threshold of about 5-100% of the unblockedcurrent level, remains there for at least 1.0 μs, and returnsspontaneously to the unblocked level. For example, the ionic current maydrop below a threshold of about, at least about, or at most about 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%, or any range derivable therein. Blockadesare rejected if the unblocked signal directly preceding or following ithas an average current that deviates from the typical unblocked level bymore than twice the rms noise of the unblocked signal. Deep blockadesare identified as intervals where the ionic current drops <50% of theunblocked level. Intervals where the current remains between 80% and 50%of the unblocked level are identified as partial blockades.

Disclosed are materials, compositions, and components that can be usedfor, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, orare products of the disclosed methods and compositions. These and othermaterials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that whencombinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials aredisclosed that while specific reference of each various individual andcollective combinations and permutations may not be explicitlydisclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. Forexample, if a method is disclosed and discussed and a number ofmodifications that can be made to a number of compositions included inthe method are discussed, each and every combination and permutation ofthe method, and the modifications that are possible are specificallycontemplated unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Likewise,any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated anddisclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosureincluding, but not limited to, steps in methods. Thus, if there are avariety of additional steps that can be performed, it is understood thateach of these additional steps can be performed with any specific methodsteps or combination of method steps of the disclosed methods, and thateach such combination or subset of combinations is specificallycontemplated and should be considered disclosed. It is also contemplatedthat any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implementedwith respect to any method, compound, protein, porin, peptide,polypeptide, multimer, monomer, nucleic acid, vector, strain, culturedcell, system, or composition, etc., described herein, and vice versa.

Publications cited herein and the material for which they are cited arehereby specifically incorporated by reference in their entireties.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications can be made. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Examples

A single-chain MspA was constructed consisting of eight covalentlyconnected monomers. As shown herein, an expression plasmid encodingsingle-chain M1-MspA is not stable in wild-type M. smegmatis but can bepropagated in an M. smegmatis lacking the recA gene, which is requiredfor homologous recombination. The recA gene was deleted in the quadrupleporin mutant M. smegmatis ML712, which lacks the four known Msp porins.This strain enabled expression of single-chain M1-MspA. Tunnels made bysingle-chain M1-MspA had a similar conductance as octameric M1-MspAtunnels, but had drastically improved resistance to voltage gating. Thisunforeseen advantage of single-chain MspA is of great importance fornanopore sequencing of nucleic acids, for example, DNA.

Construction of an Msp Quadruple Deletion Mutant of M. smegmatis

For isolation of mutant MspA porins a triple porin deletion mutantMycobacterium smegmatis ML16 strain (ΔmspA::FRT, ΔmspC::FRT, ΔmspD::FRT)was used (see Stephan et al., Mol. Microbiol. 58: 714-730 (2005)).However, low levels of MspB could still be detected in this strain inimmunoblots with MspA-specific rabbit antiserum. The presence of MspBcan contribute to the heterogeneity observed in single-channelexperiments and complicates data analysis. In order to overcome thisproblem and improve MspA preparations an M. smegmatis strain lacking allfour msp genes was constructed.

Since the deletion of all four msp genes of M. smegmatis is lethal, thefirst step was to integrate an expression cassette for the N-terminalchannel-forming domain of CpnT (1) into the M. smegmatis porin triplemutant ML16. To this end, the plasmid pML2622 was constructed, whichcarries the N-terminal domain of CpnT tagged with His6 and HA under thecontrol of a nitrile-inducible promoter (FIG. 2). The N-terminal domainof CpnT formed channels in planar bilayer experiments and complementedthe porin mutant M. smegmatis ML16 strain in glycerol uptakeexperiments. The rescue plasmid pML2622 was integrated into themycobacteriophage L5-site in the chromosome of the porin triple mutantM. smegmatis ML16. Integration was confirmed by PCR with the sets ofprimers complimentary to L5 genomic region. This strain was named M.smegmatis ML709. After integration of pML2622, the plasmid backbone wasexcised from the chromosome by Flp recombinase as described in Stephanet al. (Gene 343: 181-190 (2004)) to remove the genes encodinghygromycin phosphotransferase and L5 integrase. This strain was named M.smegmatis ML709-234.

To delete the remaining mspB gene in M. smegmatis ML711 the mspBdeletion vector pML1611 containing the two reporter genes gfp and xylEas markers for integration and allelic replacement was constructed (FIG.2). The mspB deletion vector pML1611 carries 863 bp and 946 bp-longupstream and downstream regions of mspB and was used to delete the mspBgene in M. smegmatis ML709-234 by allelic exchange. This Msp porinquadruple mutant was named M. smegmatis ML711. The plasmid pCreSacBcontaining Cre recombinase was used to excise gfp and hyg genes flankedby loxP sites from the chromosome. The deletion of all four msp geneswas confirmed by PCR with chromosomal DNA using specific sets of primersand by Southern blot with chromosomal DNA using specific probe (FIG. 3).This unmarked Msp porin quadruple mutant was named M. smegmatis ML712(relevant genotype: ΔmspA::FRT, ΔmspB::loxP, ΔmspC::FRT, ΔmspD::FRT,attB L5::FRT-pNIT-cpnT_(d1)-FRT). The growth of the strain ML712 onMiddlebrook 7H10 agar plates was impaired in comparison to wt and ML16strains. Next, the expression of msp genes in the ML712 strain wasassessed by extraction of M. smegmatis cells using the detergentoctylpolyethyleneoxide as described in Heinz et al. (Anal. Biochem. 285:113-120 (2000)). The Msp quadruple porin deletion mutant M. smegmatisML712 grown in Middlebrook 7H9 medium does not produce any Msp proteinin contrast to the porin triple mutant ML16 (FIG. 4). This demonstratedthat deletion of all msp genes was achieved in M. smegmatis ML712. Theexpression levels of the MspA were similar to that of wt M. smegmatis,when wt mspA or M1 mspA were expressed in ML712 using the plasmidspMN016 and pML904, respectively (FIG. 4).

Construction of Single-Chain M1-MspA

Previously a M1₂-MspA subunit dimer was constructed (Pavlenok et al.PLoS One 7(6): e38726). As the next step towards single-chain MspA, fourmspA M1 genes were fused to encode a M1₄-MspA subunit tetramer. Theresulting plasmid pML2647 was transformed into the quadruple porindeletion strain of M. smegmatis ML712 for protein production andpurification. However, the tetrameric mspA plasmid was unstable. Inorder to avoid recombination, the recA gene was deleted in the quadrupleporin mutant ML712 and the strain M. smegmatis ML714 was created.

Then, a gene encoding single-chain MspA, in which eight M1-MspA subunitsare linked (M1₈-MspA), was cloned into E. coli. Each of the subunits hasa D90N mutation, a D91N mutation and a D93N mutation. This was achievedby fusing two genes encoding tetrameric M1 MspA together (M1₄-MspA)using pML2647 as a template. The individual MspA subunits are separatedby (GGGGS)₃ linkers. In the resulting plasmid pML3213, the twotetrameric M1-mspA constructs are flanked by unique restriction sites(tetrad A: PacI, MluI; tetrad B: EcoRV, HindIII) (FIG. 5). Genes withinthe tetramers are flanked by the same restriction sites with theexception of the first and last genes of the tetrads.

The resulting m1₈-mspA gene was placed under the control of theconstitutive p_(smyc) promoter (FIG. 5). The plasmid pML3213 wastransformed into M. smegmatis ML714 (quadruple porin mutant with recAdeletion) for protein production and purification. Western blotexperiments showed that the expression level of single-chain M1₈-MspA inM. smegmatis ML714 is lower compared to M1₂-MspA and is reduced toapproximately 7% of wt MspA levels (FIG. 6).

Stability of Single-Chain M1-MspA

The MspA pore is very resistant against thermal and chemicaldenaturation (Heinz et al. J. Biol. Chem. 278: 8678-8685 (2003)). Totest the thermal stability of single-chain MspA, the M1₈-MspA proteinwas subjected to increasing temperatures for 15 min in the presence of2% SDS. (FIG. 7) A significant amount of M1₈-MspA is stable even afterheating the protein sample to 100° C. (FIG. 7). This result shows thatM1₈-MspA is at least as stable against thermal denaturation as the wtMspA protein.

Channel Properties of Single-Chain M1-MspA

To examine whether M1₈-MspA forms functional channels, in vitro lipidbilayer experiments were performed. No insertions were recorded whenonly n-octyl-POE buffer was added to the lipid bilayer. Addition ofapproximately 70 ng of M1₈-MspA protein resulted in the step-wiseincrease in the current across the lipid bilayer indicating theinsertion of M1₈-MspA channels into the membrane (FIG. 8A). Analysis ofthe current recordings of M1₈-MspA showed a major peak of 1.1 nS (FIG.8B). This channel conductance is similar to those of the pores made fromthe M1-MspA dimer (1.3 nS) and M1 MspA monomers (1.4 nS) (see Pavlenoket al.).

Voltage Gating

Voltage gating is defined as a spontaneous channel closure at a certainvoltage threshold and is an intrinsic property of bacterial (3-barrelchannel proteins (Bainbridge et al. FEBS Lett 431(3): 305-308 (1998)).Resistance to voltage gating is very important for nanopore sequencingexperiments since voltages as high as +180 mV are used to translocatessDNA through MspA pore (Manrao et al. Nat. Biotechnol. 30(4): 349-353(2012); Derrington et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107(37):16060-16065 (2010); Butler et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105(52):20647-20652 (2008)). Therefore, the voltage gating of M1₈-MspA in lipidbilayer experiments was analyzed. After insertion of approximately 220M1₈-MspA pores, the voltage across the lipid bilayer was sequentiallyincreased in 10 mV increments, and the ion current passing through thepores was measured for three minutes. The critical voltage Vc is definedas the voltage at which pores start to close, and is measured in theseexperiments as decrease of ion current.

The M1₈-MspA channels started to close at +90 mV and were completelystable at all applied negative voltages (FIG. 9). In a second experimentwith gel-purified M1₈-MspA protein no voltage gating, up to voltages of±100 mV, was observed. Thus, the critical voltage V_(c) of M1₈-MspA istwo-fold higher than that of M1-MspA or M1₂-MspA (V_(crit)+40 mV, −50 mVfor both proteins). These results show that linking all eight subunitsinto a single polypeptide drastically increased the resistance ofsingle-chain MspA to voltage gating. This unforeseen advantage ofsingle-chain MspA is of great importance for nanopore sequencing ofnucleic acids, for example, DNA.

Construction of a Mutant Single Chain MspA (scMspA M2)

As described herein, mutations in MspA are useful for improving itsinteractions with DNA, its base recognition properties and itsinteractions with membranes and accessory proteins such, for example,Phi29 DNA polymerase. Using the approach described above forsingle-chain M1 MspA, a mutant single-chain MspA (MspA M2), in whicheight mutant MspA monomers are linked together was constructed.Expression of both single-chain M1 MspA and single-chain MspA M2constructs in M. smegmatis ML712 was shown by Western blots using anMspA antibody demonstrating that production of scMspA in M. smegmatis isfeasible. As shown herein, single chain Msps can be expressed in E.coli. The single chain M2 MspA (scMspA M2) protein is made in mgamounts, but is not folded. A folding protocol has been developed thatallows isolation of active scMspA M2.

A single-chain m2-mspA (scm2-mspA) where eight m2-mspA genes (containingthe mutations D90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139K as described in Butler etal. (PNAS 105: 20647-20652 (2008)) were connected by DNA fragmentsencoding (GGGGS)₃ polypeptide linkers. In addition, each gene wasflanked by unique restriction sites to enable specific modifications ofeach MspA subunit. The genes in the sequence are named m2-1 through m2-8beginning from the ATG start codon (FIG. 11 and Table 3). For proteinproduction and purification of the single-chain MspA M2 protein in E.coli cells the signal peptide of MspA was removed. The scm2-mspAsequence was codon optimized for optimal expression in E. coli and wassynthesized by GenScript. The resulting scm2-mspA gene was flanked byEcoRI and HindIII and was obtained in a pUC57 plasmid from GenScript.Next, the whole sc m2-mspA was excised and cloned into the pET-21(a)+vector. The scm2-mspA gene is under the control of the T7 promoter inthe resulting plasmid pML3216 (FIG. 11).

For scMspA M2 protein production and purification, the plasmid pML3216was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)Omp8 strain which lacks 3 majorporins (See Prilipov et al. FEMS Microbiol. Lett 163: 65-72 (1998)). TheBL21(DE3) Omp8 strain was chosen to avoid contamination of scMspA M2with endogenous porins of E. coli. After induction of scm2-mspAexpression with 1.5 mM IPTG cells were grown at 37° C. in LB mediumsupplemented with ampicillin. Maximal expression of the target proteinwas observed two hours after induction accounting for approximately 4%of the total protein in the cell lysate (FIG. 12). A protein bandcorresponding to scMspA M2 had an apparent mass of 170 kDa which isconsistent with its predicted molecular mass of 165.6 kDa (FIG. 12).Next, scMspA M2 from inclusion bodies was isolated and purified asdescribed in Sambrook et al. (CSH Protocols 2006) Inclusion bodiescontaining predominantly scMspA M2 protein were solubilized in 8 M urea.This sample was later a subject to anion exchange chromatography usingHiTrap QFF column (GE HealthCare, United Kingdom) in the presence of 8 Murea. The elution profile of scMspA M2 protein was very similar to thatof wt MspA published previously (Heinz et al., 2003). This protein isprobably not folded and has no channel activity.

Then, scMspA M2 was purified and subjected to a refolding procedure.After anion exchange chromatography a pure fraction of scMspA M2 with aconcentration of 50 μg/ml was diluted by a factor of 10 in a buffercontaining 10 mM NaCl, 25 mM HEPES, 0.6 M L-Arginine, 0.1% (v/v) LDAO,pH 8.0 to give final volume of 1 ml. The mixture was incubated overnightat room temperature (approximately 21° C.) on a rotating mixer. Then,the sample was transferred into a dialysis tube with 3.5 kDa MWCO anddialyzed against 2 L of a buffer containing 10 mM NaCl, 25 mM HEPES (pH8.0), 0.023% (v/v) LDAO overnight at room temperature. The dialyzedprotein was transferred into a microtube and incubated at a roomtemperature for an additional day. Next, the refolding efficiency wasassessed by Western blot analysis using MspA-specific rabbit antiserum.After the refolding procedure, the band which reacts with MspApolyclonal antibodies migrated from 170 kDa to approximately 130 kDaindicating that folding of scMspA M2 to a more compact form with anincreased electrophoretic mobility had occurred (FIG. 13). Such anelectrophoretic mobility shift upon folding has been observed for outermembrane proteins of E. coli previously. However, it was not clearwhether MspA would show a similar phenomenon.

In order to examine if scMspA M2 forms functional channels in vitroafter the refolding procedure lipid bilayer experiments were performed.No channel activity was observed when only 0.023% LDAO-buffer was addedto the planar bilayer. In contrast, addition of scMspA M2 protein afterthe refolding step resulted in a step-wise current increase indicativeof channel insertions into lipid bilayer (FIG. 14). Analysis of thecurrent traces showed an average conductance of 2.3 nS (FIG. 14). Ofinterest, analysis of MspA M2 made from monomers showed two peaks at 1.2nS and 2.4 nS suggesting two different protein conformations. Inaddition, a multi-channel experiment with scMspA M2 showed improvedvoltage-gating resistance with a critical voltage of +80 mV/−70 mV (FIG.15). The increased voltage resistance is beneficial for example, forssDNA experiments performed at relatively high voltages.

TABLE 3 Restriction sites of scMspA M2 # of Amino Gene RS RS SequenceEnds acids flanked 1 EcoRI GAATTC cohesive EF 2 KpnI GGTACC cohesive GTm2-1 3 NsiI ATGCAT cohesive MH 4 ScaI AGTACT blunt ST m2-2 5 NheI GCTAGCcohesive AS 6 HpaI GTTAAC blunt VN m2-3 7 XbaI TCTAGA cohesive SR 8 NdeICATATG cohesive HM m2-4 9 EcorV GATATC blunt DI 10 PstI CTGCAG cohesiveLQ m2-5 11 BstBI TTCGAA cohesive FE 12 BamHI GGATCC cohesive GS m2-6 13MluI ACGCGT cohesive TR 14 PvuII CAGCTG blunt QL m2-7 15 Afl II CTTAAGcohesive LK 16 HindIII  AAGCTT cohesive KL m2-8Construction of Mutant Single Chain MspA (MspA PN1)

A single-chain mspA pn1 (scmspA PN1) gene where eight mspA genes(containing a P97F mutation and mutationsD90N/D91N/D93N/D118R/D134R/E139K as described in Butler et al. (PNAS105: 20647-20652 (2008)) were connected by DNA fragments encoding(GGGGS)₃ polypeptide linkers. In addition, each gene was flanked byunique restriction sites to enable specific modifications of each MspAsubunit. The genes in the sequence are named m2-97-1 through m2-97-8beginning from the ATG start codon (FIG. 16 and Table 3). For proteinproduction and purification of the single-chain MspA PN1 protein in E.coli cells the signal peptide of MspA was removed. The scmspA PN1sequence was codon optimized for optimal expression in E. coli and wassynthesized by GenScript. The resulting scmspA PN1 gene was flanked byEcoRI and HindIII and was obtained in a pUC57 plasmid from GenScript.Next, the entire scmspA PN1 was excised and cloned into the pET-21(a)+vector. The scmspA PN1 gene is under the control of the T7 promoter inthe resulting plasmid pML3216 (FIG. 16).

For scMspA PN1 protein production and purification the plasmid pML3216was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)Omp8 strain which lacks 3 majorporins (See Prilipov et al. FEMS Microbiol. Lett 163: 65-72 (1998)). TheBL21(DE3) Omp8 strain was chosen to avoid contamination of scMspA PN1with endogenous porins of E. coli. After induction of scmspA PN1expression with 1.5 mM IPTG, cells were grown at 37° C. in LB mediumsupplemented with ampicillin. Maximal expression of the target proteinwas observed two hours after induction accounting for approximately 5%of the total protein in the cell lysate (FIG. 17). A protein bandcorresponding to scMspA PN1 had an apparent mass of 170 kDa which isconsistent with its predicted molecular mass of 165.6 kDa (FIG. 17).Next, scMspA PN1 from inclusion bodies was isolated and purified asdescribed in Sambrook et al. (CSH Protocols 2006) Inclusion bodiescontaining predominantly scMspA PN1 protein were solubilized in 8 Murea. This sample was later a subject to anion exchange chromatographyusing HiTrap QFF column (GE HealthCare, United Kingdom) in the presenceof 8 M urea. The elution profile of scMspA PN1 protein was very similarto that of wt MspA published previously (Heinz et al., 2003). Thisprotein is probably not folded and has no channel activity.

Then, scMspA PN1 was purified and subjected to a refolding procedure.After anion exchange chromatography a pure fraction of scMspA PN1 wasdialyzed against 2 L of buffer containing 140 mM NaCl, 10 mMK₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄, 2 mM KCl (pH 7.5) to remove urea. The mixture wasincubated overnight at room temperature (approximately 21° C.). Afterdialysis, L-arginine and LDAO were added to the sample to give a finalconcentration of 0.6M and 0.1% (v/v), respectively. The protein samplein the refolding buffer (140 mM NaCl, 10 mM K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄, 2 mM KCl, 0.6M L-Arginine, 0.1% (v/v) LDAO, pH 7.5) was incubated overnight on anorbital shaker (FIG. 18). The concentration of the purified sample wascalculated to be 1.37 mg/ml as determined by absorbance at 280 nm. Theprotein yield was 0.45 mg per 1 liter of bacterial culture.

To test the effect of phenylalanine at position 97 on incorporation ofthe single-chain MspA into artificial lipid membranes the insertionactivity of different MspA constructs was measured by monitoring therelease of fluorescent carboxyfluorescein dye from the liposomes asdescribed (See Schwarz et al., Biophys. J. 58(3):577-83 (1990); Schwarzet al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1239(1): 51-7 (1995)). Briefly, DPhPCliposomes were prepared by extrusion in the presence of 30 mMcarboxyfluorescein. Carboxyfluorescein is self-quenched when it isenclosed into lipid vesicles. After insertion of MspA pore into thedye-loaded liposome, diffusion-mediated efflux of the dye results in theincrease of fluorescence in the reaction mixture. FIG. 19 shows theresults of these carboxyfluorescein release experiments. Addition ofbuffers containing either LDAO (0.1% v/v) or OPOE (0.5% v/v) resulted inonly minimal dye release from the liposomes, in contrast to Triton X-100(1% v/v) buffer that was used as a positive control. Importantly,addition of scMspA PN1 (60 ng/ml, final) lead to faster and largerrelease of carboxyfluorescein than addition of scMspA M2 (120 ng/ml,final). Interestingly, wt MspA (60 ng/ml, final) resulted in slower dyediffusion from the liposomes than scMspA PN1 (FIG. 19). These dataindicate that additional phenylalanines located in the loop 6 of scMspApromote faster and more efficient insertion of the pores into lipidbilayers.

Next, the time of the first pore insertion into DPhPC membrane wasmeasured in a bilayer set up. It was hypothesized that pores withenhanced insertion abilities would require less time to insert intolipid membrane. To examine the effect of phenylalanines in loop 6 on thetime of membrane insertion of scMspA, scMspA PN1 was compared withscMspA M2. Briefly, the bilayer cuvette was filled with electrolyte, −10mV potential was applied, and the data were acquired and recorded usingTestPoint software. The same cuvette was always used in theseexperiments. The protein was added to both sides at a finalconcentration of 100 ng/ml. Importantly, successful insertion eventswere observed in 89% of the experiments for scMspA PN1, but only in 40%of the experiments for scMspA M2. This is consistent with the results ofthe carboxyfluorescein release experiments. Although the medianinsertion time for scMspA PN1 was 399 seconds as opposed to 695 secondsfor scMspA M2, this difference was not significant. Surprisingly, therate of insertion decreased when scMspA PN1 was analyzed in 0.3M KClsolution (median time: 859 seconds, 50%). However, half of theexperiments resulted in successful insertions with scMspA PN1, whileonly one successful insertion was observed with scMspA M2 in 0.3M KClwith a time of 1270 seconds (8 membranes analyzed, 12% successfulinsertions) (FIG. 20). This result shows the beneficial effect ofphenylalanines in loop 6 for membrane insertion by single-chain MspA.

In order to examine whether scMspA PN1 forms functional channels invitro after the refolding procedure, lipid bilayer experiments wereperformed. No channel activity was observed when only 0.1% LDAO-bufferwas added to the planar bilayer. In contrast, addition of scMspA PN1protein after the refolding step resulted in a step-wise currentincrease indicative of channel insertions into the lipid bilayer (FIG.21). Analysis of the current traces showed an average conductance of 2.0nS (FIG. 21). This could translate into larger residual currents foreach nucleotide and better signals in DNA sequencing experiments.

Effect of Lipids on Channel Activity of Single-Chain MspA PN1

scMspA PN1 was stored for more than a month at room temperature in 1μg/mg and 0.2 μg/ml amounts. The scMspA PN1 was diluted in 0.1% LDAO,140 mM NaCl, 10 mM K2HPO4/KH2PO4 (pH 7.5), 2 mM KCL. Methods for makinghorizontal bilayers for channel experiments are known in the art. See,for example, Butler et al. (2008) and Akeson et al. Biophysical Journal;77: 3227-3233 (1999), both of which are incorporated herein in theirentireties. For the channel experiments, 2%diphtanoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DiphPC) in chloroform was used to formmembrane bilayers for insertion of MspA essentially as described inButler et al. and Akeson et al. After insertion of the MspA into thebilayers, the membrane was broken and the membrane was reapplied using1% DiphPC in n-decane. The electrolyte used in these experiments was 0.3or 1M KCl, 10 mM Hepes, pH 8.0 or pH 7.0, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 22, single-chain MspAs function at a wide range ofelectrolyte concentration, for example from about 0.3-1M KCl. Tooptimize channel activity, lipid association can be performed prior toinsertion of MspA in a membrane or lipid bilayer. Therefore, in any ofthe methods set forth herein, an MspA can be contacted or preincubatedwith one or more lipids to optimize channel activity. In a non-limitingexample, FIG. 22 shows that no channel activity was observed in a buffercontaining only 0.3 M KCl at pH 8.0. However, breaking the membrane andsubsequent repainting of the membrane leads to increased channelactivity of scMspA PN1 in the electrolyte containing 0.3 M KCl at pH8.0.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining the identity of ananalyte, comprising: a) applying an electric field sufficient totranslocate an analyte from a first conductive medium to a secondconductive medium in liquid communication through a mutant Mycobacteriumsmegmatis porin (Msp), wherein the mutant Msp comprises a vestibule anda constriction zone that define a tunnel, and wherein the mutant Msp isa mutant single chain Msp encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising:(i) a first and second nucleotide sequence, wherein the first nucleotidesequence encodes a first Msp monomer sequence and the second nucleotidesequence encodes a second Msp monomer sequence; and (ii) a thirdnucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid linker sequence that linksthe first and second nucleotide sequence, wherein at least one of thefirst and second Msp monomer sequences is a mutant Msp monomer sequence,wherein the mutant Msp monomer sequence has at least 95% sequenceidentity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and wherein the mutant Msp monomer sequencecomprises a P97F mutation; and b) measuring an ion current, therebyproducing a current pattern in the measured ion current, wherein a 5% ormore reduction in the ion current for at least 1.0 μs, compared to anion current level for the Msp without an analyte present, indicates thepresence of the analyte in the first medium; and c) determining theidentity of the analyte by comparing the current pattern to a referencecurrent pattern obtained using a known analyte.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the mutant Msp further comprises a molecular motor, whereinthe molecular motor is capable of moving an analyte into or through thetunnel with an average translocation velocity that is less than theaverage translocation velocity at which the analyte electrophoreticallytranslocates into or through the tunnel in the absence of the molecularmotor.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a reduction in the currentdefines a blockade in the current pattern, and wherein identifying theanalyte comprises comparing one or more blockades in the current patternto one or more blockades in the reference current pattern obtained usinga known analyte.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyte is anucleotide, a nucleic acid, an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, apolymer, a drug, an ion, a pollutant, a nanoscopic object, or abiological warfare agent.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the analyteis a polymer.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the polymer is aprotein, a peptide or a nucleic acid.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe polymer is a nucleic acid.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thenucleic acid is ssDNA, dsDNA, RNA, or a combination thereof.
 9. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising identifying one or more units ofthe polymer.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein identifying one or moreunits of the polymer comprises comparing one or more blockades in thecurrent pattern to one or more blockades in a current pattern obtainedusing a polymer having known units.